18/04/202324/09/2024
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CHEMISTRY NOBEL LAUREATE DELIVERS A SPEECH AT VNUHCM-UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE

CHEMISTRY NOBEL LAUREATE DELIVERS A SPEECH AT VNUHCM-UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE

On the morning of 17 April 2023, the Viet Nam National University Ho Chi Minh City – University of Science had the honour of welcoming Professor Morten Peter Meldal, the 2022 Nobel Prize holder in Chemistry. Accompanied by his wife, Dr Phaedria St. Hilaire, Professor Meldal delivered a public lecture on ‘Click Chemistry’ in Lecture Hall 1, located on the Nguyen Van Cu Campus in District 5.

‘Click chemistry’ refers to a quantitative reaction for generating triazole between azides and alkynes using a copper catalyst (CuAAC). This methodology has significant applications across various fields, including polymer materials (such as the synthesis of dendrimers—tree-like polymers), biological contexts (where it facilitates the synthesis and grafting of polymer chains onto macromolecules like enzymes or proteins to create hybrid materials with enhanced functionalities), and medicine (including the development of functional polymers capable of changing shape in response to environmental conditions such as pH or temperature).

During his lecture, Professor Meldal introduced four notable applications from his research:
– Application 1: Combinatorial chemistry was employed to create diverse substances to identify an enzyme inhibitor to help treat leishmaniasis, an infectious disease prevalent in South America. The result was a compound with an inhibitory constant (Ki) as low as 76 nM, where the triazole bridge prevents the inhibitor from being degraded by intracellular proteases.
– Application 2: He discussed the preparation of large cyclic compounds to create ligands for receptors. The resulting ligand demonstrated selectivity up to 300 times higher for the MC4 receptor (associated with obesity) than other melanocortin receptors.
– Application 3: A triazole bridge was created in place of a disulphide bridge in the peptide, specifically modifying the antibacterial peptide Tachyplesin 1 into a hairpin structure. The compound formed was more active than the original peptide and remained unaffected in bacterial media because the triazole group does not undergo conversion like the disulphide group.
– Application 4: The preparation of protease, an enzyme that cleaves peptide bonds, was initially a challenge for synthesis. Professor Meldal proposed a method in which two peptide fragments could be prepared and subsequently reassembled using the ‘Click reaction’, rather than synthesising the entire lengthy peptide chain. Each fragment remains inactive until connected, thus not disrupting the protein preparation process.
Professor Meldal shared that his motivation for pursuing scientific research stems from a desire to find solutions to real-life problems, bolstered by the unwavering support of his family throughout his journey. From an early age, he was guided by his parents and immersed in nature, frequently participating in outdoor activities. His life partner, who shares his passion for scientific research, has encouraged him through both the challenges of the research process and the joy of his achievements.
Through his narrative, Professor Meldal emphasised the importance of chemistry in everyday life and sparked curiosity among young people, encouraging early engagement with the subject to foster potential breakthroughs in the future. Before concluding the lecture, he advised the youth: “Always follow your heart and pursue what you are interested in. We will encounter obstacles many times, but if you remain patient and persistent, tackling each problem one step at a time, you will easily overcome them.”
This event marked a significant occasion as it was the first time the University of Science, Viet Nam National University Ho Chi Minh City had welcomed a Nobel Prize laureate in Chemistry to visit and deliver a lecture. This created a valuable opportunity for lecturers, researchers, and students, as well as the wider science-loving community, to engage with groundbreaking advances.
Pictures from the event:

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