Prof. Dr. Jay Siegel Organisch-chemisches Institut, Universität Zürich

Esthetics in Molecular Design and Synthesis

Chemists are the architects of matter, designed in form and function. These molecular sculptures are works of art, effigies of nature and wonders of technology. The chemical institutes, inaugural inhabitants of Rämistrasse 76 produced two Nobel prize winners and over 1000 PhD alumni including Nobelist George Wald and revolutionary medicinal chemist Albert Hofmann. Nobel Prize winner and 40 year director of the chemical institutes Paul Karrer was inspired by natures own molecular architectures like vitamins, hormones, and dyes. His accomplishments became symbols of Swiss dominance in chemistry and lead to molecules designed to address problems of societal importance like malnourishment. These chemical agents embody the basis of an esthetic for the structure and function for the field of designer molecules and chemical synthesis that lives on today at the frontier of chemical research.