37岁获诺奖、遭受10年学术不端争议，逆转录酶发现者大卫·巴尔的摩去世，生前最后一周还在发表论文

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the life and contributions of David Baltimore, a Nobel laureate who passed away at the age of 87, highlighting his groundbreaking discovery of reverse transcriptase and its impact on molecular biology and virology [1][6][25]. Group 1: Key Contributions - David Baltimore discovered reverse transcriptase in 1970, which challenged the traditional flow of genetic information and added a pathway from RNA to DNA [4][5][19]. - His work laid the foundation for understanding retroviruses, including HIV, and significantly influenced the fields of molecular biology and cancer research [6][25]. - Baltimore was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1975, becoming one of the youngest laureates at that time [7][25]. Group 2: Academic Journey - Baltimore was born on March 7, 1938, and showed exceptional academic prowess, earning his Ph.D. by the age of 25 and publishing 10 papers in 18 months during his time at Rockefeller University [11][12][13]. - He collaborated with Howard M. Temin, who also independently discovered reverse transcriptase, leading to their simultaneous recognition in the scientific community [19][25]. Group 3: Later Research and Achievements - After receiving the Nobel Prize, Baltimore shifted his focus to immunology and virology, establishing the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research with a significant donation of $135 million [26]. - He made critical discoveries in immunology, including the identification of the NF-κB transcription factor and the RAG proteins essential for immune system function [29][30]. - Baltimore's research on the BCR-ABL fusion protein contributed to the development of the cancer drug imatinib, which is effective in treating chronic myeloid leukemia [29][30]. Group 4: Controversies - Baltimore faced a significant controversy known as the "Baltimore affair," which involved allegations of scientific misconduct related to a paper co-authored with Thereza Imanishi-Kari [36][37]. - The investigation lasted nearly a decade and raised questions about the integrity of scientific research processes in the U.S. [37][45]. Group 5: Legacy and Final Years - Baltimore continued to contribute to science until his last week, emphasizing his lifelong commitment to research and exploration [9][62]. - He maintained a collaborative relationship with the Chinese scientific community and served as a founding board member of Westlake University [60][61].