52nd Meeting of the Nobel Laureates: The 2002 Trip Report
 

July 3, 2002
On the Agenda:
Daily info session
Dr. Paul Crutzen presentation: "The Importance of the Tropics in Atmospheric Chemistry and Climate"
Dr. Rudolph Marcus presentation: "The Strange Isotope Effect in Ozone Formation in the Stratosphere and in the Laboratory"
Dr. George Olah presentation: "Hydrocarbons and Global Warming: Facts, Challenges and Possible Solutions"
Dr. Aaron Klug presentation: "The Use of Zinc Finger Peptides for the Regulation of Gene Expression"
Dr. Robert Huber presentation: "Molecular Machines for Protein Degradation"
Dr. John Pople presentation: "Theoretical Chemical Models"
Hotel Stift Lunch with Laureates
Scientific discussion between Nobel Laureates, assistants, and students at the Inselhalle
Stadttheater Optional: USB Verbier Festival Youth Orchestra concert

Read about it!

On Wednesday, five Nobel Laureates gave half-hour presentations on their areas of research.

Dr. Paul Crutzen of Germany discussed the role of the tropics and subtopics in atmospheric chemistry and the growing impact of human activities on climate.

Sir Harold Kroto of Great Britain discussed the new area in materials technology brought about by the discovery of nanotubes and the enormous fabrication and analysis problems they present. He also challenged the audience to preserve the role of doubt as an important component of research.

Dr. George Olah of the University of Southern California presented a realistic picture of the problem of global warming, alternatives to face the challenges it presents, and possible solutions, including his ongoing research to chemically recycle carbon dioxide in more economical ways.

Dr. Aaron Klug of Great Britain discussed the regulation of gene expression using zinc fingers, small peptide motifs that bind specifically to three successive base pairs of the DNA double helix. His presentation included recent applications of this research, including the disruption of the infective cycle of infection by herpes simplex virus.

 
Left: Dr. Astrid Gräslund, Secretary of the Nobel Committee for Chemistry (bottom right),  poses with Amanda Bean, Shelley Gilliss, Tanya Cuk, and Jean Paddock (clockwise from bottom left).
 

Above: Ludwig Feinendegen, one of the principal organizers of the meeting talks to Susan Dounce and  Paul Kroncke. Above: Mitio Inokuti of Argonne National Laboratory and Dennis Patton of the University of Arizona join the American students for lunch.

 
Left: Professor Sir Harold Kroto shares information with students during a Wednesday afternoon scientific discussion.
 

                

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