Arieh Warshel

Arieh Warshel (born November 20, 1940) is an Israeli-American biophysicist and a pioneer in the field of computational biology. Warshel's groundbreaking work in the development of multiscale models for complex chemical systems earned him the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2013, which he shared with Michael Levitt and Martin Karplus. Their work laid the foundation for the modern field of computational chemistry, a discipline that uses theoretical methods and computer simulations to understand and predict the behavior of molecules in chemical reactions.

Early Life and Education

Arieh Warshel was born in Kibbutz Sde Nahum, Israel. From an early age, he showed a keen interest in the sciences. Warshel pursued his undergraduate studies at the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, where he received his BSc degree in Chemistry. He then went on to complete his MSc degree in Chemical Physics at the Weizmann Institute of Science. In 1969, Warshel earned his PhD from the Weizmann Institute, where his research focused on theoretical studies of molecular dynamics.

Career and Research

After completing his PhD, Warshel conducted postdoctoral research at Harvard University, where he began his collaborations with Martin Karplus. He later joined the faculty at the Weizmann Institute of Science before moving to the United States, where he became a professor at the University of Southern California (USC). Throughout his career, Warshel has been interested in developing computational models that can bridge the gap between quantum and classical mechanics to study biological systems.

One of Warshel's most significant contributions is the development of the empirical valence bond (EVB) theory, which allows for the simulation of chemical reactions in enzymes and other biological systems. This work has been instrumental in understanding how enzymes catalyze chemical reactions with high specificity and efficiency. Additionally, Warshel's research has contributed to the development of computer programs that simulate the functions of proteins, which are crucial for drug design and understanding disease mechanisms.

Nobel Prize

In 2013, Arieh Warshel, together with Michael Levitt and Martin Karplus, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for "the development of multiscale models for complex chemical systems." Their work combines classical and quantum physics to create simulations that accurately predict chemical reactions, even in large and complex molecules such as proteins. This achievement has had a profound impact on the field of computational chemistry, enabling scientists to study reactions that are difficult or impossible to observe experimentally.

Legacy and Impact

Warshel's contributions to the field of computational chemistry have revolutionized the way scientists understand the molecular basis of life. His work has paved the way for new methodologies in drug discovery, allowing for the design of more effective and targeted therapeutic agents. Warshel's research has also had a significant impact on the development of renewable energy sources, by improving the understanding of photosynthesis and the design of artificial photosynthetic systems.

Selected Publications

Arieh Warshel has authored numerous influential publications in the field of computational chemistry and biophysics. Some of his most cited works include studies on the simulation of enzyme catalysis, the development of multiscale models for proteins, and the theoretical analysis of molecular dynamics.

Awards and Honors

In addition to the Nobel Prize, Warshel has received several other prestigious awards and honors throughout his career, recognizing his contributions to science and his impact on the field of computational chemistry.

See Also

• Computational chemistry
• Biophysics
• Nobel Prize in Chemistry
• Enzyme catalysis