Archives October 2007

This year's Nobel Prizes were won by Prof. Martin J. Evans, professor of genetics from Britain, Prof. Mario Capeechi from U.S. and Prof. Oliver Smithies, also from U.S. Capeechi's work is uncovering the roles of genes in organ development in mammals. His work is in identifying the causes of several human hereditary malformations. By the technique of gene targeting, Evans and Smithies could identify the genes responsible for a particular disease and then "knock out" these genes. Particular genes could also be introduced into the system by E.C. cells (Embryonic carcinoma cells) from mice. These are derived by homologous recombination. Identification of genes (hundreds of them) responsible for a particular growth or disease, using EC cells as vehicles to carry information, knock-out the bad genes and introduce new ones and to find out therapy for the diseased genes - all these work have been individually studied independently by these scientists. more...

This year's Nobel Prize winner, Herr Dr. Gerhard ErtI has laid the methodogical foundation for an entire research field Surface chemistry. His outstanding ability to refine problems, his meticulous precision, his wide vision and ability to harness every single technique available to systematically identify the process, verify them by various other techniques is his forte, Electron spectroscopy has been used by Prof, ErtI from the description given in the news papers. By X-ray fluorescence emission and absorption, one can see the changes in the atoms heavier than Z = 10 or 11. By electron spectroscopy, one can study even very low atomic number elements. Spectroscopy can identify whether molecular nitrogen or atomic nitrogen has taken part in reaction. Catalysts are used widely in industries such as cars and petroleum refining. Apart from the qualities of Prof, ErtI as a scientist, he must have another tremendous quality not mentioned. His ability more...