Nobel Prize Winning Benjamin Parent Presents During Max Planck Lecture
Dr. Stefan Hell, Nobel Prize winner for Chemistry, discussed the principles used to overcome the diffraction limit during a “Science Meets Music” lecture and concert held in Benjamin Hall on January 31.
The series, which is produced by The Max Planck Florida Institute For Neuroscience, combines a lecture focused on a science topic with a musical performance.
Dr. Hell says he was excited for the opportunity to explain some of the science he’s responsible for to a wide audience.
“Concretely, I found a way to make light microscopy much sharper than what was considered to be possible, turning it into ‘nanoscopy,” Hell says.
Hell says fluorescence nanoscopy extends the limits of what can be seen today at small scales.
“It allows resolving fine structures that are invisible in conventional microscopy images. Watching molecules in real time enables the investigation of life at the cellular level with minimal perturbation. This is of key relevance for understanding the actual causes of diseases, because at the end of the day any disease is a cellular malfunction. Nanoscopy approaches have begun to facilitate discoveries in brain research, basic medical research, and the life sciences overall. Scientists can now investigate and assess true molecular interaction patterns. The new methods also allow them to see things like how molecules create synapses between nerve cells in the brain, and to track proteins involved in various diseases. Special attention is nowadays placed on proteins involved in Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and Huntington's disease, among others,” says Hell.
Dr. Hell was accompanied during his lecture by Jonathan Roozeman, a Finnish-Dutch cellist from Kronberg Academy in Kronberg im Taunus, Germany.
Hell says one of the reasons he moved to Jupiter, Florida from Germany is to find new inspirations for future research.
“With its world-class scientists, the MPFI is an outstanding place to get new ideas,” says Hell.
Hell’s three children Charlotte, Jonathan and Sebastian started attending Benjamin after the family’s move to Florida.
“Moving across the globe, The Benjamin School’s reputation, welcoming environment, and small class sizes were important factors to our family. The academic rigor, community focus, and commitment to well-rounded education appealed to us as well.”
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