People I (Mostly) Admire Extra: A Rockstar Chemist Wins the Nobel Prize
Oct 8, 2022
Carolyn Bertozzi, a Stanford professor and 2022 Nobel laureate in chemistry, shares her groundbreaking work in bioorthogonal chemistry and glycobiology. She discusses her innovative ideas for immune therapy that could change the landscape of disease treatment. The conversation dives into the crucial role of glycans in health, cancer research, and the challenges in antibiotic development. Carolyn also reflects on the tension between her scientific achievements and her dreams of a career in music, blending science with a touch of creativity.
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Chemistry's Impact
- Modern chemists contribute to essential areas like clean resources and medicine.
- Chemistry is a central science, impacting various fields.
Glycans as QR Codes
- Cells are coated in glycans, complex sugars that act like QR codes.
- These glycans change dramatically in cancerous cells, impacting their behavior and interactions.
Sialic Acid and Cancer
- Sialic acid, a type of sugar, explodes in density on cancer cells, like dandelions in a garden.
- This overabundance of sialic acid helps cancer evade the immune system.