Molecule Viewing Technique Wins 2017 Nobel Prize in Chemistry

Category: Science/Environment

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Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. biophysicist / ˌbaɪ oʊ ˈfɪz ə sɪst / (n) – a scientist who specializes in both biology and physics
    Example:

    The biophysicist invented a technique that allows freezing of molecules.


  2. ultrafine / ˈʌltrəˌfaɪn / (adj) – something extremely fine or small in texture and size
    Example:

    Ultrafine particles can sometimes enter deep into the lungs.


  3. cellular / ˈsɛl yə lər / (adj) – relating to cells
    Example:

    We are required to learn the plant’s cellular structure.


  4. liken / ˈlaɪ kən / (v) – to say that two things are similar
    Example:

    The scientist likened the strange animal to a hamster because of their similar features.


  5. afoot / əˈfʊt / (adj) – in progress
    Example:

    Plans for the new experiment are afoot.


Article

Read the text below.

A group of biophysicists won the 2017 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for developing a molecule viewing technique.


Jacques Dubochet [zhahk di-bo-SHEE], Joachim [waa-KEEM] Frank, and Richard Henderson pioneered cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), a procedure that uses electron microscopes to examine frozen molecules in ultrafine resolution. They were able to develop the technology through the many experiments they did over a span of five decades.


The trio received $1.1 million from the Royal Swedish Academy for Sciences, the awarding body for the Nobel Prize in Chemistry.


Electron microscopes were originally used to examine dead substances, as they destroy living matter when placed under its beam, while x-rays were used to view proteins and other complex molecules. However, the invention of cryo-EM paved the way for detailed viewing of tiny molecules such as ribosomes, or cellular structures that decode DNA.


Cryo-EM works by freezing a molecule sample to form a film of ice, which resembles a glass pane, on top of liquid that maintains the shape of molecules. As a result, the changes a molecule undergoes can be monitored. Nobel committee member Peter Brzezinski [bzheh-ZIN-skee] likened the images captured by the cryo-EM to movie frames, as each can be put together to show the processes taking place.


Cryo-EM proved to be beneficial to medical research. In 2016, scientists employed the technique to determine the structure of the Zika virus. A follow-up research for identifying drugs that can fight the virus is also afoot. In addition, cryo-EM has been used to scrutinize proteins that supposedly cause Alzheimer’s disease and other brain-related illnesses.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

• What do you think motivated the three scientists to keep pursuing their research for several decades? Speculate.
• Do you know of any other project that people spent decades on in order to develop and perfect? Discuss.

Discussion B

• In your opinion, how would winning a Nobel Prize impact the work of researchers, scientists, etc.?
• What factors affect the reliability and fairness of award-giving bodies (e.g. politics, religion, private corporations)?