Carolyn Bertozzi, Ph.D.

Carolyn R. Bertozzi won the 2022 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for her work in the development of click chemistry and bioorthogonal chemistry.

Carolyn Bertozzi, a distinguished chemist born on November 10, 1966, in Boston, Massachusetts, has made remarkable strides in the realm of chemistry, particularly through her pioneering work in the field of click chemistry. Her journey to scientific prominence and the development of groundbreaking bioorthogonal reactions have transformed the way we build and understand molecules, offering unprecedented opportunities for research within living organisms.

Bertozzi's academic journey began with a solid foundation in chemistry. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Harvard University in 1988, followed by a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1993. Her early research interests were diverse, but it was her innovative foray into click chemistry that would set the stage for her groundbreaking contributions to science.

The concept of click chemistry, introduced by K. Barry Sharpless in the 1990s, aimed to streamline the process of building complex molecules. It sought to facilitate molecular assembly in a quick and efficient manner, a stark departure from the traditionally time-consuming and expensive methods. Carolyn Bertozzi, recognizing the immense potential of click chemistry, took it a step further by venturing into the uncharted territory of living organisms around the year 2000.

In her pioneering work, Bertozzi developed bioorthogonal reactions—chemical reactions that can occur inside living organisms without disturbing the normal biochemical processes of the cell. This breakthrough allowed scientists to manipulate and study molecules within the complex milieu of biological systems, heralding a new era in chemical biology.

These bioorthogonal reactions have since become invaluable tools in various scientific domains. Researchers can now explore the inner workings of cells, tracking biological processes with unparalleled precision. Moreover, these reactions have been instrumental in advancing the field of targeted cancer therapeutics. By using bioorthogonal chemistry, pharmaceuticals can be more precisely delivered to cancer cells, increasing the efficacy and minimizing the side effects of cancer treatments.

Carolyn Bertozzi’s pioneering work in the development of click chemistry and bioorthogonal reactions has opened new frontiers in molecular research and holds great promise for further advancements in our understanding of living organisms and the development of novel therapies.

Bertozzi and her team were known to have used a  PTI QuantaMaster 4, which became part of the HORIBA fluorescence family of scientific instruments.