A trio of researchers consisting of Carolyn Bertozzi, Morten Meldal and Barry Sharpless jointly received the 2022 Nobel Prize in Chemistry because their work has laid the foundation for so-called click chemistry. The discoveries are about how to build molecules with simple chemical reactions, and can be used to develop new materials and medicines.
Carolyn Bertozzi uses click chemistry to try to develop a drug that should be able to cure forms of cancer where conventional immunotherapy does not help. In her work, she builds molecules that she herself calls “lawn mowers”. By that, she means that they should remove the cancer cells’ protection, much like a lawnmower cuts a lawn.
Hear Carolyn Bertozzi talk more about “lawn mowing” molecules in the clip above.
See more about the Nobel laureates in chemistry, physics and medicine in The world of science on SVT2 on Monday 5 December 20:00, or the entire series Nobel 2022: The portraits whenever you want on SVTplay.