Bringing Chemistry to Life

Since the elucidation of the DNA structure by James Watson and Francis Crick in 1951, the importance of understanding the three-dimensional structure of biomolecules has become obvious. Over the last few decades scientists have resolved the structure of thousands of complex biomolecules enabling incredible innovations in drug design, biological and medical sciences. X-Ray crystallography has been the key technique, but in recent years Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) has emerged as an additional, complementary approach. Dr. Loren Andreas explains to us how NMR has grown to be the technology of choice as it has expanded its field of application from liquid solutions to condensed systems. The discussion is a surprising discovery of how progress in engineering and instrument design has completely changed the landscape in structural biology. Modern NMR allows scientists to study molecules in complex systems, simulating more closely their natural environment, including interaction between them. This episode offers an exciting glimpse of the future, through a few examples from today’s science.Visit https://thermofisher.com/bctl to register for your free Bringing Chemistry to Life T-shirt and https://www.alfa.com/en/chemistry-podcasts/ to access our episode summary sheet, which contains links to recent publications and additional content recommendations for our guest. We read every email so please share your questions and feedback with us! Email [email protected]

80% of waste water gets discharged untreated, which causes some of the most urgent environmental issues facing our planet. However, Dr. William Tarpeh, nominated as one of The Root 100's most influential African Americans, views waste water is an incredible resource that contains many valuable components and represents an untapped economic opportunity in our world of finite resources. This episode is an intriguing discovery of how chemical engineering can transform our energy-intense linear economy, where materials are made, used and eventually discarded, into a new circular economy based on recovery value and a vision of eliminating waste altogether. William and Paolo speak about how selective adsorbent resins and electrochemical processes can completely change the chemical landscape and profoundly impact the global economy. This episode is a treasure trove of examples of how chemical innovation can change the world and how great science can translate into practical applications with immediate tangible benefits for human life and the environment. We read every email so please share your questions and feedback with us! Email [email protected]

Common phenomena, observed by most in their daily experience, can be surprisingly misunderstood and even mysterious! Genuine curiosity, an open mind, and good dose of creativity are the necessary ingredients for the most exciting scientific discoveries. This is the take-home message of our fascinating discussion with Dr. Lauren Zarzar, who studies microscale systems and their macroscopic effects. We find out what is behind the iridescence at the air-water interface, how this can be reproduced and controlled with many different types of emulsions, and how it could be used in novel paints and display technologies. We also discuss 3D printing at the nanoscale using lasers and how this can revolutionize materials science. The work of Dr. Zarzar is yet another great demonstration of how great science happens at the interface between different disciplines, with chemistry usually being one of them. We read every email so please share your questions and feedback with us! Email [email protected]

If you thought chemistry is basically just boiling stinky mixtures in a flask, this is the episode for you. There is no better demonstration for how chemistry is foundational to practically all sciences and technologies. What Dr. Tina Li does at CMC Materials is finding new ways to ensure semiconductor layers in electronic components manufacturing are as smooth as possible, to allow the deposition of as many layers as possible on a single wafer. This is the key to enable increased complexity and computational power for all electronic devices. Dr. Li explains how this “sanding” at the nanoscale level works. Selective chemical reactions work in synergy with abrasion to achieve unbelievable levels of smoothness, measured in nanometers. We discuss the chemistry that helps enable our smartphones and computers, but also about a journey of professional and personal growth and what it means to do chemical research in an industrial environment. We read every email so please share your questions and feedback with us! Email [email protected]

If you thought a career in science means spending your best years in a dark laboratory for long, boring hours doing routine experiments, think again! Dr. Cora Young, from York University in Toronto, does a significant part of her environmental chemistry work in the field. From measuring air quality in residential and business spaces, to going high altitude on airplanes, or doing measurements in forests and even in the Arctic. In this episode, we discuss research in the growing field of environmental chemistry, how it differs from traditional analytical chemistry, and what it means bringing high precision analysis out of controlled laboratory environments. Dr. Young sheds light on how analyzing air quality can have a profound impact on international regulations and quality of life. From understanding emissions of worrisome pollutants such as polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), to how cooking at home can affect our health, this is a fascinating discovery of the chemistry of air. We read every email so please share your questions and feedback with us! Email [email protected]

Polymer chemistry has been one of the main disruptive forces in the last few decades, having a profound impact on materials used in all applications, enabling new technologies and profoundly impacting everyone’s life. Polymers are at the core of modern material science and despite having generated some concerning environmental challenges, it’s hard to imagine a future without them. Dr. Leibfarth is one of the most creative minds in polymer chemistry today and he is leading some incredible innovation in the way these materials are made and applied. He shares a fascinating story of elite collegiate American football, science, inspiration and creativity, as well as where different disciplines converge and provide the disruptive force to change paradigms. Paolo and Frank discuss stereo-controlled polymerization, novel functionalization, exploration of structure-function relationships, as well as Frank's personal and professional growth. We read every email so please share your questions and feedback with us! Email [email protected]

Human milk provides both nutritional and non-nutritional components tailored to the specific need of the infant at all phases of growth. It is a wonderful example of personalised medicine and diet and its complexity is only partially understood. The oligosaccharides contained in breastmilk have only recently emerged as potent pro- and anti-biotics and they are proven to have effects on several other physiological mechanisms and biological pathways, such as the immune system.We discuss with Dr. Townsend, a leading scientist in this field, about these special carbohydrates’ properties, about their chemistry and the challenges of running ambitious multidisciplinary research at the interface between chemistry and biology. Dr. Townsend takes us on a surprising journey of personal development and scientific progress that could lead to a revolution in nutrition, the design of novel antimicrobial and antifungal drugs and even re-think contraception. We read every email so please share your questions and feedback with us! Email [email protected]