Science of resistance: Heinrich Wieland, the biochemist who defied the Nazis

Recognise his name? Few do. But Wieland wasn't just the father of biochemistry and a Nobel prize winner. He was a scientist with the courage of his convictions

Despite finding international fame as one of Germany's most renowned scientists in the first half of the 20th century, Heinrich Otto Wieland always shied away from the limelight, so the man now regarded as the father of modern biochemistry would probably have approved of the low key manner in which his 1927 Nobel prize was sold in April.

Auctioned off by a small memorabilia company in Los Angeles amongst a random collection of showbiz items such as curtain costumes from the Sound of Music, Wieland's medal received just a single bid, raising a princely $395,000.