A Brief History of Ferritin, an Ancient and Versatile Protein

Ferritin is among the earliest proteins to be purified, named, and characterized, owing to its unique properties that continue to captivate researchers. First identified and purified through crystallization in 1937, ferritin has since drawn significant attention for its critical role in iron metabolism and regulation, as well as its diverse biological and technological applications. To date, more than 40,000 publications have explored this remarkable protein. Its fascinating history offers a window into the evolution of biochemical techniques developed over the past eight decades.