Nobel Prize in Chemistry Awarded for Work in Evolutionary Science

The Nobel Prize in Chemistry was created in 1895, and is given out each year to scientists across the globe. From harnessing combustion energy to studying chemical reactions, chemists have helped advance our society, shaping it to what it is today.

This year, the Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to and split amongst 3 scientists—½ for Frances H. Arnold, ¼ for George P. Smith, and ¼ for Sir Gregory P. Winter—for their collective contribution to research into harnessing the power of evolution to develop new proteins for use in the creation of better drugs and medicines.

When the award was announced, the Royal Swedish Academy said that this year's prize “awards a revolution based on evolution,” going to scientists who “applied the principles of Darwin.”

The scientists’ work mainly involved creating new enzymes with “directed evolution”, and introducing genetic mutations. These new enzymes could lead to a faster rate of natural chemical reactions that would not only fight diseases and save lives but also promote a greener health and chemicals industry by creating renewable fuels for transport.

In organisms’ bodies there are natural enzymes used for digestion and other important bodily functions. For us, DNA is where the enzymes receive their instructions; however, in the labs, the enzymes were mutated artificially with the aid of bacteria and its DNA. In the end, enzymes were able to adapt to different environments, some operating better in dry environments while others in water-based environments.

These scientists’ work is focused mainly on helping humans by creating new antibodies. The antibodies would specifically interact with a certain compound and can neutralize toxins, cure cancer that has spread, and counteract autoimmune diseases such as AIDS. The effects of this type of directed evolution could be widespread for humans.