Severo Ochoa (1905-1993), born in Luarca, Spain, discovered polynucleotide phosphorylase, an enzyme that enabled the synthesis of ribonucleic acid. His 1955 discovery provided an understanding of how genetic information is translated. For this work he was awarded the 1959 Nobel Prize in medicine.
Discovered on 14-1-2005 in La Canada by Lacruz, J.