The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences has decided to award the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2018 with one half to Frances H. Arnold 'for the directed evolution of enzymes' and the other half jointly to George P. Smith and Sir Gregory P. Winter 'for the phage display of peptides and antibodies'. These Chemistry Laureates have taken control of evolution and used the same principles – genetic change and selection – to develop proteins that solve humankind’s chemical problems.

Frances Arnold, who has been awarded one half of the 2018 Nobel Prize had conducted the first directed evolution of enzymes, which are proteins that catalyse chemical reactions. Enzymes produced through directed evolution are used to manufacture everything from biofuels to pharmaceuticals. Nobel Prize 2018 For Chemistry Winner: Frances H Arnold, George P Smith, Sir Gregory P Winter Awarded Honour.

Meanwhile, the other half of the Nobel Prize has been shared by George P. Smith and Sir Gregory P. Winter. George Smith had developed a method known as phage display, where a bacteriophage – a virus that infects bacteria – can be used to evolve new proteins whereas Sir Gregory Winter has used phage display to produce new pharmaceuticals. Today phage display has produced antibodies that can neutralise toxins, counteract autoimmune diseases and cure metastatic cancer.

The methods that the 2018 Nobel Prize laureates of Chemistry have developed are now being internationally developed to promote a greener chemicals industry, produce new materials, manufacture sustainable biofuels, mitigate disease and save lives. The Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded to Arthur Ashkin and the other half jointly to Gérard Mourou and Donna Strickland on Tuesday. 

Enzymes produced through directed evolution are used to manufacture everything from biofuels to pharmaceuticals. Antibodies evolved using a method called phage display can combat autoimmune diseases and in some cases cure metastatic cancer. It must be noted that the 2018 Nobel Laureates in Chemistry have taken control of evolution and used it for purposes that bring the greatest benefit to humankind.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 03, 2018 03:42 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).