Lecture Abstract
Topic: Electrostatic Basis of Biological Actions
In this lecture, Nobel Laureate Arieh Warshel presents a monumental synthesis of over forty years of pioneering exploration. He introduces the microscopic basis of electrostatic theory and the ways to evaluate electrostatic energies in macromolecules. He rigorously develops the theoretical framework of electrostatics, introducing a hierarchy of models from all-atom representations to continuum approximations, critically evaluating their assumptions and limitations.
A major focus is placed on the electrostatic underpinnings of enzymatic catalysis, protein-ligand interactions, redox processes, and the folding and stability of proteins. The text also addresses specialized topics such as pKa calculations, ion and proton channels, and the dielectric behavior of proteins. Furthermore, the lecture examines the electrostatic basis of molecular machines, signaling mechanisms (including G-proteins and Ras), GPCR activation, and cell-cell interactions.
By integrating detailed theoretical models with biological function, he provides a unifying perspective that reshapes our understanding of biomolecular action. This work serves as both a definitive reference and a forward-looking framework, emphasizing the predictive power of physically consistent electrostatic models in elucidating life at the molecular level.
About Speaker Biography: Here
About University Assembly: Here
Figure 1. Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, Taking the Experiment to Cyberspace, 2013, www.nobelprize.org/prizes/chemistry/2013/popular-information/.
About the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2013
“Chemical reactions occur at lightning speed; electrons jump between atoms hidden from the prying eyes of scientists. The Nobel Laureates in Chemistry 2013 have made it possible to map the mysterious ways of chemistry by using computers. Detailed knowledge of chemical processes makes it possible to optimize catalysts, drugs and solar cells” (The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2013).
Reference:
Popular information. NobelPrize.org. Nobel Prize Outreach 2026. Fri. 6 Mar 2026.
https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/chemistry/2013/popular-information/