The Nobel Prize in Chemistry on Wednesday rewarded two American researchers and a Briton who were inspired by the principles of Darwinian evolution to modify the properties of proteins for therapeutic or industrial purposes.
The 2018 Nobel Prize in chemistry was awarded on Wednesday for half to American Frances H. Arnold and half to American George P. Smith and British Gregory P. Winter. The first was rewarded for her work on enzymes while the male duo was rewarded for her work on antibodies.
The three winners of the 2018 Chemistry Prize have "tamed the principles of evolution," paving the way for the production of new or cleaner biofuels, and innovative therapies, said the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, which award the prize
The laureates were "inspired by the power of evolution and used the same principles of genetic change and selection to develop proteins that solve humanity's chemical problems , " the Academy said in a statement.
BREAKING NEWS:
The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences has the honor to be awarded to Dr. George P. Smith and Sir Gregory P. Winter. pic.twitter.com/lLGivVLttB
John Goodenough, American professor in Texas and inventor of lithium ion batteries found in smartphones, computers or electric vehicles, was the eternal favorite at the age of 96 years. He has never been rewarded.
In 2017, Jacques Dubochet from Switzerland, Joachim Frank from the United States and Richard Henderson from England were honored for their work on cryo-electron microscopy.
A Nobel Prize in French Chemistry in 2016
The last French recipient of the Nobel Prize in chemistry was Jean-Pierre Sauvage in 2016. With the Englishman James Fraser Stoddart and the Dutchman Bernard L.Ferringa, they had been recognized for the design and synthesis of molecular machines.
Organized since 1901 by the Swedish Academy, the Nobel Prizes are endowed with 9 million crowns (871 000 €) for the laureates. The long-awaited Nobel Peace Prize will be awarded this Friday, October 5 and that of the economy, Monday 8.
No Nobel Prize for literature this year
The Nobel Prize in Chemistry was the third prize awarded this year. On Monday, the Nobel Prize in medicine went to James P. Allison from the United States and Tasuku Honjo from Japan for their breakthroughs in advancing knowledge in the treatment of cancer.
Tuesday, the Nobel physics was awarded for half to the American Arthur Ashkin and the other half to French Gérard Mourou and Canadian Donna Strickland for their work on lasers and optics.
Remember that the 2018 Nobel Prize for Literature has been postponed for the first time in 70 years and will only be awarded at the same time as that of 2019 following the revelations of accusations of rape and assault.