We are no stranger to the prestige of the Nobel Prize which celebrates excellence and rewards innovation. It is awarded to people who have made significant contributions to their field and provided benefit for mankind as a whole. This year’s lineup of winners was no different especially in the fields of Biology/Physiology, Chemistry and Physics. So let’s unravel their discoveries and appreciate the beauty of scientific endeavours.
mRNA , The catalyst for the evolution of vaccines:
This year the Nobel prize for physiology and medicine went to two people who are arguably the biggest saviours of the 21st century for their efforts in combating one of the biggest and deadliest pandemics the world has ever seen. Biochemist Katalin Karikó and immunologist Drew Weissman earned the Nobel Prize for their discoveries that enabled the development of effective messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines against COVID-19. Decades of work on this one revolutionary medicine paid off when it became the answer to the world's most imminent problem, Covid-19. These two people were persistent in their cause to understand how RNA reacts with the immune system even though their efforts were regarded as unnecessary. These efforts were the direct result of trying to move towards DNA vaccines and mRNA vaccines which were a cheaper alternative to traditional vaccines that introduced a noninfectious part of a virus or a protein of the virus to the human body. For mRNA vaccines the mRNA is encoded with proteins in a lab and the vaccine provides the cell with
readable instructions on how to make proteins. One of the challenges these two people faced when conducting this research was that it caused inflammatory issues, but it was fixed in 200 when they discovered that performing minute chemical modifications on the lab grown mRNA fixed the issue and improved protein production. After many trial runs and modifications, they were finally able to produce the product that was the solution to the pandemic. The benefits of this revolutionary study don’t just end here. Scientists have found this ground breaking research could be monumental in finding the cure for other perilous diseases like cancer and can be the catalyst for helping millions of people live.
Revealing the Quantum Dot Revolution:
If you told 12- year old Dorothy that her world would be technicolor one day, she’d be astonished. A world dazzlingly colourful, with shimmering blue skies and verdant landscapes is something she had only witnessed in the Land of Oz but today, such unbelievable colours are present on most screens thanks to Nobel Prize winners of Chemistry 2023, Alexei Ekimov, Louis Brus and Moungi Bawendi. This year’s Nobel Prize in Chemistry recognizes the discovery and synthesis of quantum dots, the properties of which are determined by quantum size effects. These nanometre sized semiconductor crystals catalysed development of nanoscience and nanotechnology.
When particles are just a few nanometres in diameter, the space available to electrons shrinks. This affects the optical properties of the particles. Quantum dots absorb light and then emit it at another wavelength. Its colour depends on the size of the particle. This discovery was especially significant because normally a substances’ optical properties are determined by its electrons, but the research conducted by our Nobel Prize Winners showed that size matters too!
The luminous properties of quantum dots are utilised in computer and television screens based on QLED technology. Moreover, biochemists attach quantum dots to biomolecules to map cells and organs, chemists use the catalytic properties of quantum dots to drive chemical reactions and doctors have started to investigate the potential of quantum dots to track tumor tissue in the body. The possibilities are endless and there is still a lot to learn about the amazing quantum phenomena.
Illuminating the Unseen World of Electrons:
The Nobel Prize in Physics for 2023 has been awarded to Pierre Agostini, Ferenc Krausz, and Anne L’Huillier for their groundbreaking experiments in generating attosecond pulses of light. These incredibly short light pulses have unlocked new possibilities for understanding the intricate world of electrons within atoms and molecules. To grasp the swiftest of events in the realm of electrons, special technology is required. Changes at this scale unfold in mere tenths of an attosecond, a minuscule unit of time that challenges comprehension. Anne L’Huillier's early discovery of multiple light overtones generated by infrared laser light passing through noble gases set the stage for subsequent breakthroughs. Pierre Agostini and Ferenc Krausz pioneered the production of attosecond light pulses. This innovation offers unprecedented insights into ultrafast processes within matter. Their achievements have the potential to transform fields such as electronics and medical diagnostics, enabling us to explore and manipulate electron behaviour with unparalleled precision
The mark of these marvels:
The 2023 Nobel Prizes in Physics, Chemistry, and Physiology and Medicine stand as beacons of human achievement, celebrating exceptional contributions in these pivotal scientific realms. From exploring the electron's lightning-fast world with attosecond pulses of light, to harnessing the potential of quantum dots for myriad applications, and finally, unveiling the mysteries of cellular health and longevity, these laureates have propelled humanity's understanding and capabilities to new heights. These honors serve as a testament to the unrelenting spirit of scientific inquiry, inspiring us to forge ahead in our quest for knowledge and innovation
Written by: Miraal Omer, Haniya Batool, Zainab Iftikhar
Edited by: Zainab Iftikhar
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