Person Whittam; Ronald (1925 - 2023); cell physiologist Whittam Ronald cell physiologist 1925 - 2023 British Male Butler Green, Chadderton, Oldham, Greater Manchester, England 21 March 1925 19250321 Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicestershire, England 16 August 2023 20230816

Cell physiologist Physiology Cell physiology Education: Stanley Road Council School; Municipal Technical College, Oldham; University of Manchester (BSc) 1951; King's College, University of Cambridge. Career: Left school to work at his parents' bakery (1939); Served Royal Air Force (1943-1947); joined a Medical Research Council unit at the University of Sheffield; Beit Memorial Research Fellow, Physiological Laboratory, University of Cambridge (1955-1958); Lecturer in Biochemistry, University of Oxford (1960-1966); Professor, of Physiology, University of Leicester (1966-1983), where he founded the Laboratory of Physiology at the University, which in 1968 became the Department of Physiology, Professor Emeritus since 1983; Research Worker (1983-1986). Memberships: Medical Research Council 1970-1983 Parents: Edward Whittam and May Whittam Spouse: (m. 1957) Christine Patricia Margaret Lamb Children: Harvey and Althea Ronald Whittam conducted important studies of the mechanism of active transport of ions in animal tissues. He demonstrated the special asymmetry of the ATPase of the red blood cell membrane, which acts only when Na+ is inside and K+ is outside the membrane. He was the first to demonstrate that active transport can exert a feedback control over the rate of cellular metabolism. These concepts, of directionality as an inherent part of an enzyme reaction in membranes, are of fundamental significance for the understanding of the relations between physiological function and the mechanism of enzyme action. Committees: Biological Education Committee Education Committee (1974-1983) Fellow 15/03/1973 47 University of Leicester [URL: https://le.ac.uk/about/history/obituaries/2023/ron-whittam; last accessed: 26/03/2025] Oldham Evening Chronicle, 'Eminent scientist born and raised at Butler Green in Chadderton dies aged 98', 19 August 2023, [URL: https://www.oldham-chronicle.co.uk/news-features/139/main-news/153010/eminent-scientist-born-and-raised-at-butler-green-in-chadderton-dies-aged-98; last accessed: 26/03/2025] Whittam R, GA GRS 6248.jpg International Standard Archival Authority Record for Corporate Bodies, Persons and Families - ISAAR(CPF) - Ottawa 1996 ISBN 0-9696035-3-3 National Council on Archives, Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997 https://royalsocietypublishing.org/action/doSearch?ContribAuthorRaw=Whittam%2C+Ronald RCN 20040 RCN 21048 21 Mar 1925 - 16 Aug 2023 The past Fellows entries are under continuous revision. If you have queries or additional information to contribute, please contact Library@royalsociety.org. Content in external sources is not controlled by the Royal Society and historical sources may include content that is now unacceptable. Reviewed on 26/03/2025 as part of the Name Authority Project update. NA3972 21/11/2001 Andyg Martind 01/04/2025 RS_NET\VirginiaM Yes 6cc2b576-2af3-49ff-b72d-0109ca446049