Chemistry Nobel for makers of high-resolution fluorescence microscope October 8, 2014. Scientists Eric Betzig, Stefan W. Hell and William E. Moerner were recognized by the development of super-resolution fluorescence microscope that, unlike traditional microscopes, lets see nanomolecular cell level, a level of detail impossible to achieve far. This allows the study of individual molecules within living cells, something impossible to achieve with the techniques of traditional optical microscopes. Following the announcement, Hell, one of the winners, said the importance of the discovery lies in the use that may have to physiology. In order to understand whether the cells suffer from a disease, it is necessary to see the distribution of proteins in them, and to achieve the limitation is the lack of resolution provided by existing microscopes, he said by telephone who were in the auditorium where he announced the news. Sven Lidin, director of the committee and professor of materials chemistry at the University of Lund, noted that the work of the winners has made it possible to study molecular processes in real time. Advances in Alzheimers and Parkinsons The progress of these three scientists contributed to the study of diseases such as Alzheimers and Parkinson analysis and cognitive processes in the neurons of the brain, explained the jury. For a long time, optical microscopy was conditioned by an alleged limitation: could never get a better resolution than half the wavelength of light. With the help of fluorescent molecules, the three scientists cleverly circumvented this limitation, highlighted the jurado.Tras the announcement, Thomas Barton, president of the American Chemical Society, told the BBC: At my level, the most impressive is to see small molecules, viruses with atomic resolution. Also, to see living organisms without having to sacrifice them and see them in a vacuum, after sacrifice, as we do with the transmission electron microscope. Its amazing what you can do now. If 50 years ago, one would have suggested you might see something in a nanometer scale, everyone would have laughed, said Barton. American Eric Betzig, currently working at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute in the United States. Stefan W. Hell German directs the Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry in Germany and the German Center for Cancer Research of Heildelberg. While the third award-winning, American William E. Moerner, works at Stanford University in the USA The money that accompanies the distinction -US $ 1.1 million-will be divided among the three in equal parts. Source: BBC #TISARE
Posted on: Thu, 09 Oct 2014 05:55:58 +0000