Edward Tatum was an American biochemist born on December 14, 1909, in Boulder, Colorado. He is best known for his pioneering work in the field of genetics and microbiology. Tatum, along with his colleague George Beadle, conducted experiments on the mold Neurospora crassa, which led to the formulation of the "one gene, one enzyme" hypothesis. This concept significantly advanced the understanding of how genes control biochemical processes in living organisms. In 1958, Tatum was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his contributions to the field of genetics. His research laid the groundwork for modern molecular biology and has had a lasting impact on genetics, biochemistry, and medicine. Tatum's work continues to influence scientific research and education today.