Roger Y. Tsien – Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting 201

Engineering Molecules for Fun, Profit, and Clinical Relevance

Abstract

Molecules to observe and manipulate biological systems and disease processes can be devised by a variety of strategies, ranging from pure chemical design and total synthesis to genome mining and high-throughput directed evolution. Examples of both successes and failures will be chosen from my own experience, including calcium indicators, molecular voltmeters and photomultipliers, fluorescent proteins, and peptides that light up tumors and nerves. The key personal challenge is to match one’s own neuroses and pleasures with research challenges that will have the widest possible impact.