Pope Francis appointed Frances H. Arnold, a Nobel-winning chemical engineer from the United States, to the Pontifical Academy of Sciences.
Arnold, 63, is the Linus Pauling professor of chemical engineering, biochemistry and bioengineering at the California Institute of Technology and director of its bioengineering center. Her appointment to the papal think tank was announced by the Vatican Oct. 24.
Born in Pittsburgh, Arnold was the co-recipient of the 2018 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for pioneering use of the directed evolution of enzymes… Continue reading.
Directed evolution has been used to create an enzyme that is capable of forming carbon–carbon bonds in a way that no natural enzyme can. The team, which includes directed evolution pioneer and 2018 chemistry Nobel laureate Frances Arnold, hopes that this strategy can be used to selectively functionalise C–H bonds in a more environmentally friendly manner without the need for precious metals.
C–H activation is regarded as one of the most important strategies in molecular synthesis, as it can unlock a wide range of organic molecules to make drugs and new materials. However, selectively functionalising C–H bonds is a complicated challenge that is usually carried out with precious metal catalysts under harsh conditions in organic solvents… Continue reading.
Since 1901, when the Nobel Prize in Chemistry was first awarded, 177 people have captured the honor. On Wednesday, Frances H. Arnold became only the fifth woman to be awarded the prize.
Dr. Arnold, 62, an American professor of chemical engineering, bioengineering and biochemistry at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, earned the award for her work with the directed evolution of enzymes.
She shared this year’s chemistry Nobel — worth close to $1 million — with George P. Smith, 77, and Gregory P. Winter, 67. Dr. Arnold received half of the prize, and Dr. Smith and Dr. Winter split the other half… Continue reading.
For pioneering research on biofuels and chemicals that could lead to the replacement of pollution-generating materials.
Frances Arnold has never cared much for ‘tradition.’ As a high schooler, she moved into her own apartment and paid the bills as a waitress and cab driver. As a chemical engineer and biochemist, she has found a groundbreaking way to harness her fierce independence and drive to succeed.
Arnold specializes in the creation of new proteins with an eye towards those that have applications in medicine and clean energy. What makes her stand out in her field is that rather than meticulously create proteins piece by painstaking piece, Arnold has come up with a way to take over from nature and direct evolution.. Continue reading.