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In Fall, Scientists Rise High
Science awards remind us that seemingly overnight success takes years of hard work and patience.
In Fall, Scientists Rise High
In Fall, Scientists Rise High

Science awards remind us that seemingly overnight success takes years of hard work and patience.

Science awards remind us that seemingly overnight success takes years of hard work and patience.

Nobel Prize

Line drawings of Moungi Bawendi (left), Louis Brus (center), and Alexei Ekimov (right) from the shoulders up.
Nobel Prize in Chemistry for Quantum Dots
Hannah Thomasy, PhD | Oct 4, 2023 | 3 min read
Moungi Bawendi, Louis Brus, and Alexei Ekimov were awarded the Nobel Prize for their work on quantum dots, which has applications in electronics and biomedicine.
Black and gold sketch of the three prize winners.
Nobel Prize for Experiments With Light
Danielle Gerhard, PhD | Oct 3, 2023 | 4 min read
Anne L’Huillier, Pierre Agostini, and Ferenc Krausz received this year’s Physics award for creating tools for studying the world of electrons, with future applications in medical diagnostics.
From the Expert: Click Chemistry and Bioorthogonal Applications
From the Expert: Click Chemistry and Bioorthogonal Applications
The Scientist | 1 min read
Carolyn Bertozzi discusses her recent work on targeted degradation therapies that rely on bioorthogonal chemistry.
Black and gold sketch of Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman.
Nobel Prize for mRNA Vaccines
Danielle Gerhard, PhD | Oct 2, 2023 | 5 min read
Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman received this year’s Physiology or Medicine award for their work on RNA biology and mRNA-based vaccines.
 Dive into Cryo-EM’s History, Milestones, and Insights.
Cryo-EM: Building on a History of Invention and Innovation
Thermo Fisher Scientific | Aug 2, 2023 | 1 min read
From humble yet ingenious beginnings to Nobel recognition, cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) provides insights into scientific questions that other technologies are unable to answer.
A close up of several modular puzzle pieces.
Making Connections: Click Chemistry and Bioorthogonal Chemistry
Deanna MacNeil, PhD | 5 min read
Simple, quick, and modular reactions allow researchers to create useful molecular structures from a wide range of substrates.
A black-and-white photo of a person’s hands holding a black-and-white barred chicken. The feathers of its breast have been pulled back to reveal a large tumor.
Transmissible Tumors, 1909
Katherine Irving | Jan 2, 2023 | 2 min read
Pathologist Peyton Rous made a groundbreaking discovery in the early 20th century, but his work wasn’t widely recognized until more than 40 years later. 
a black pencil with a white eraser on the tip leaves eraser marks on a piece of paper
Nobel Prize Winner Faces Investigation into Paper Integrity
Katherine Irving | Oct 21, 2022 | 2 min read
Seventeen studies coauthored by Gregg Semenza have been retracted, corrected, or raised for concern, and 15 more are currently under investigation.
blue-gloved hands pipetting from test tube
What’s Next for Ancient DNA Studies After the Nobel?
Mary Prendergast, The Conversation | Oct 5, 2022 | 4 min read
The award highlights tremendous opportunities for aDNA as well as challenges related to rapid growth, equity, and misinformation.
Illustration of the winners of the 2022 Nobel Prize in Chemistry
Biocompatible Reactions In Living Cells Garner Chemistry Nobel
Katherine Irving | Oct 5, 2022 | 4 min read
This year’s award recognizes Carolyn Bertozzi, Morten Meldal, and K. Barry Sharpless for developing click chemistry and bioorthogonal chemistry.
Svante Pääbo with a skeleton
Svante Pääbo Awarded Nobel for Paleogenomics
Shawna Williams | Oct 3, 2022 | 3 min read
The geneticist’s accomplishments include sequencing Neanderthal DNA and leading the project that identified a new species of hominin, the Denisovans.
Sidney Altman looks into the camera
Nobel Laureate Sidney Altman Dies At 82
Lisa Winter | Apr 14, 2022 | 2 min read
The biophysicist shared the 1989 Prize in Chemistry for discovering RNA’s catalytic properties.
Man in black suit looking at camera
Pioneering Geneticist C. Thomas Caskey Dies at 83
Natalia Mesa, PhD | Jan 28, 2022 | 3 min read
Caskey’s contributions to the field were instrumental to modern genetics.
Neuro collage
Our Favorite Neuroscience Stories of 2021
Chloe Tenn | Dec 29, 2021 | 4 min read
From a Nobel prize and photosynthesis-powered brains to neurodegeneration research and controversy over a new Alzheimer’s drug, a look back at some of the biggest brain-related developments of the year.
sketch of two men smiling
Mechanisms of Chili’s Heat, Menthol’s Cool Garner Nobel
Chloe Tenn | Oct 4, 2021 | 4 min read
David Julius and Ardem Patapoutian won this year’s Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their research on the ion channels involved in perceiving heat, cold, pain, and touch.
A bunch of trophies sit in a rubbish heap.
Opinion: We Should Ditch Awards in Science
Bill Sullivan | Jul 8, 2021 | 3 min read
Conducting research to elucidate nature’s mysteries is reward enough.
Headshot of Richard Ernst, circa 1990
Nobel Laureate Richard Ernst Dies at 87
Lisa Winter | Jun 11, 2021 | 3 min read
The chemist refined nuclear magnetic resonance technology, giving rise to the development of MRI.
Updated June 1
Head shot of Eric Lander, the president and founding director of the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard
Science Advisor Nominee Faces Tough Questions from Senate Panel
Jef Akst | Apr 30, 2021 | 2 min read
Senators raise concerns about how Eric Lander of the Broad Institute has handled equality issues.
Action at a Distance, Circa Early 1950s
Diana Kwon | Dec 1, 2020 | 3 min read
Neuroscientist Rita Levi-Montalcini began her Nobel Prize–winning work in a makeshift laboratory in Italy during the Second World War.
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