PARIS, Oct 3, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Three scientists shared the 2018 Nobel
Chemistry Prize on Wednesday for their work in harnessing the power of
evolution, which led to a range of breakthroughs including better biofuels
and more targeted drugs.
Here is a brief explanation of their discoveries and how they have been
applied:
– New enzymes –
Frances Arnold of the US was awarded for using the principles of evolution
to develop new enzymes, which are the basic chemical tools of life.
At first she tried to force such changes using more traditional methods,
but her breakthrough came when she allowed evolutionary forces such as
selection and even chance to govern the development of enzymes, while still
subtly guiding them.
It was the first step toward a revolution in the field, with the slight
but fundamental changes leading to more environmentally friendly chemical
substances, new pharmaceuticals, and more renewable fuels, according to the
Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.
– Phage antibodies –
The principles behind evolution were also used by the other Nobel winners,
George Smith of the US and Britain’s Gregory Winter, who focused on tiny
viruses that infect bacteria called bacteriophages — or phages for short.
Using this invading element, George Smith invented an “elegant” method
called phage display in which these invading phages introduce antibodies —
which function like “targeted missiles”, the Academy said.
Gregory Winter then applied directed evolution to develop the world’s
first pharmaceutical entirely based on a human antibody.
This has since led to a wide range of different drugs that can target
certain tumour cells, arthritis, the toxin that causes anthrax, help slow
down lupus and even in some cases cure metastatic cancer.
Many more such antibodies are currently undergoing clinical trials,
including some to combat Alzheimer’s disease, the Academy said.
Alan Boyd, president of Britain’s Faculty of Pharmaceutical Medicine,
hailed the award.
“The use of antibodies has resulted in a paradigm shift in the way that we
now treat so many diseases which has brought significant benefits to patients
across the world and will continue to do so for years to come,” he said.