Big Science Surprise: Nobel in Chemistry 2022
On Wednesday, the world cheered as Carolyn Bertozzi, Morten Meldal, and Barry Sharpless took home the 2022 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. They’re the brains behind a technique that lets molecules snap together—think molecular Lego—turning simple pieces into a dizzyingly large library of new compounds.
The Click Chemistry Craze
These scientists pioneered click chemistry and bioorthogonal chemistry, both now the go‑to tools for scientists worldwide. With them, wildlife is no longer a mystery but a chart‑topped treasure trove of invisible trails:
- Targeted cancer drugs that are in clinical trials
- Antimicrobial agents that keep infections at bay
- Herbicides that guard crops without stinking up the air
- Diagnostic tests that can see a disease’s first whisper
- Corrosion retardants that keep bridges standing tall
- Brighteners that make everyday items pop with color
“Sometimes the simplest answers are the best,” the Nobel committee said, underscoring the elegance of these chemical breakthroughs.
Winners in the Spotlight
Carolyn Bertozzi (Stanford) was street‑confused in California, her legs trembling as her phone lit up. “I can hardly breathe,” she admitted after the news landed on her screen.
Morten Meldal (University of Copenhagen) bragged he was mid‑teaching‑video when the call rang—a moment that made him feel like a Nobel‑star adventurer. “It’s not every day a Dane gets the Nobel Prize,” he laughed.
Barry Sharpless (Scripps Research) added his name to an elite club that includes renowned scientists like John Bardeen and Marie Curie. “Being the third laureate is all the more special,” he mused.
Clicking into the Future
Beyond cancer, click chemistry is now a launching pad for everything from anti‑smog coatings to personalised medicine. Because the chemistry is clean—no messy by‑products, no downtime—researchers can fashion stable molecules on demand.
Nobel’s Storied Legacy
- First awarded in 1901, the Nobel Prize honors breakthroughs in chemistry, physics, medicine, literature, and peace.
- It survived two world wars and even a global pandemic, though its ceremonies sometimes moved online.
- Sharpless joins a handful of scientists who have claimed the Prize twice, following in the footsteps of Bardeen, Curie, Pauling, and Sanger.
So next time you admire a bright tag on a shirt or rely on a herbal spray, remember: behind those everyday wonders is a little piece of that click‑chemistry magic—thanks to the hard work of these Nobel heroes.
