Contents
Hugh Huxley
The sliding-filament explanation of muscle contraction.
Sliding-filament theory
- Born
- 25 February 1924
- Birthplace
- Birkenhead
- Died
- 25 July 2013
More people
Hugh Huxley
British researcher who used X-rays and electron microscopy to investigate the molecular machinery of muscle.
Early life
Physics and radar
Studied at Cambridge, interrupted his education for Royal Air Force radar work, then completed his degree in 1948 and doctorate in 1952.
Career
- 1950s
MIT research
Worked with Jean Hanson on the structure of muscle.
- 1954
Sliding filaments
Proposed how overlapping protein filaments produce contraction.
- 1969
Cross-bridge model
Developed a molecular account of force generation.
- 1987–1997
Brandeis
Held a professorship in Massachusetts.
Contributions
Sliding-filament theory
Showed that contraction involves movement of filaments past one another.
Beyond work
Wartime engineering
His work developing radar equipment earned an MBE and supplied practical skills used throughout his research.
Sources & photo credit
Biography and career ↗Biographical references ↗Original photograph. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
Photo: unknown. Source credit retained; reuse licence not established · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.