Nobel in chemistry honours pair for new way to make molecules
Stockholm(AP): The Nobel Prize for chemistry has been awarded to German scientist Benjamin List of the Max Planck Institute and Scotland-born scientist David WC MacMillan of Princeton University.
They were cited for their work in developing a new way for building molecules known as asymmetric organocatalysis. The winners were announced Wednesday by Goran Hansson, secretary-general of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.
The Nobel panel said List and MacMillan in 2000 independently developed a new way of catalysis. It's already benefiting humankind greatly, Pernilla Wittung-Stafshede, a member of the Nobel panel, said.
Speaking after the announcement, List said the award was a "huge surprise. I absolutely didn't expect this," he said, adding that he was on vacation in Amsterdam with his family when the call from Sweden came in.
List said he did not initially know that MacMillan was working on the same subject and figured his hunch might just be a stupid idea until it worked.
I did feel that this could be something big," he said.
It is common for several scientists who work in related fields to share the prize. Last year, the chemistry prize went to Emmanuelle Charpentier of France and Jennifer A. Doudna of the United States for developing a gene-editing tool that has revolutionized science by providing a way to alter DNA.
The prestigious award comes with a gold medal and 10 million Swedish kronor (over USD 1.14 million). The prize money comes from a bequest left by the prize's creator, Swedish inventor Alfred Nobel, who died in 1895.
On Monday, the Nobel Committee awarded the prize in physiology or medicine to Americans David Julius and Ardem Patapoutian for their discoveries into how the human body perceives temperature and touch.
The Nobel Prize in physics was awarded Tuesday to three scientists whose work found order in seeming disorder, helping to explain and predict complex forces of nature, including expanding our understanding of climate change.
Over the coming days prizes will also be awarded for outstanding work in the fields of literature, peace and economics. (AP)
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Lets win the world through love, friendship: Dr. Boby Chemmanur
Mangaluru: “Wars, bombings, mass killings etc. are happening all over the world for different reasons. However, none of us will be aware of what we have achieved from this. If everyone wants to live in peace, we all have to extend the hand of friendship. So let's win the world with friendship and love,” said businessman, social worker, donor Dr. Boby Chemmanur speaking after receiving honor from the Team B-Human in a program held at Kianza Garden near Someshwara Uchila on Saturday.
Boby revealed about not visiting Mangaluru despite invitations owing to the city's bad impression he had. “However, after watching Team-B Human's social service video, my perspective about Mangaloreans changed.” In addition he also promised to help the people of this region, including my fans through a charitable trust.
Expressing gratitude, he said, “Once upon a time I used to be a man who would flaunt my wealth. After my mind transformation, I learned to love and befriend the world. I myself paid one crore rupees for the release of Abdul Rahim, a young man from Kerala who was stuck in Saudi Arabia. My Mother, who would not give money to non-christians, gave Rs. 1 Lakh and encouraged the funding. Many people have helped me to achieve my goal. I am grateful to all of them.”
Inaugurating the program, Manjeshwar MLA A.K.M. Ashraf called Kerala a model for humanity in the country. “Even though Kerala has been portrayed in a distorted way by some individuals, the real story of Kerala is known as Boche created by Dr. Boby Chemmannur. It is commendable that Team B Human has honored such social workers.” Legislative Assembly Speaker UT Khader who joined the program virtually extended his best wishes.
The program, led by Asif Deals, Founder President of Team B-Human, also felicitated Sabita Shetty, Founder Managing Trustee of Tapasya Foundation, and Hanif Puttur, General Secretary of CRDF, Puttur.
Zakaria Jokatte- Managing Director of Al Muzain Group, Sharif Bolara- Managing Director of Whitestone, Mansoor Ahmad Azad- Chairman of Hidaya Foundation, Muhammad Kunhi-Managing Director of Shanti Prakashan, Abdul Latif Gurpur- Managing Director ANI Trading Company, Muzafar Ahmed-Trustee of Team-B Human, Abdullah Monu- Administrative Director Eurogroup Qatar , KA Bawa of Deals Group, Khayyum Manya- Trustee of Abhayam Dialysis Center Kasaragod, DK District Wakf Advisory Committee Vice Chairman-AK Jamal, Sameer Kasaragod, Naveen Hegde were present during the occasion.
Siraj, President of the Mangalore unit of Team B Human, extended a warm welcome, while motivational coach Rafeeq Master and Saif Sultan, founder of Hope Foundation, moderated the program.
