Nobel Prize in Chemistry awarded for solving life's asymmetry
They publishedChemistry Nobel awarded for solving mystery of life's asymmetry
7 Oct, 09:55ZKagan and Soai win 2026 Nobel Prize in Chemistry
First reportSouth China Morning Post · 7 Oct, 09:55Z
Latest reportabcnews.com · 7 Oct, 10:26Z
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Why it matters
What
The Nobel Prize in Chemistry honored Henri B. Kagan and Kenso Soai for research on life's molecular asymmetry.
Why
Their work explained why life favors one version of chiral molecules, such as amino acids, over its mirror image.
Watch
Attention now turns to the Nobel committee's account of how the researchers explained this molecular preference.
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Summary
- Kagan and Soai awarded for solving homochirality mystery in asymmetric synthesis.
- Prize cited discovery of non-linear effects and autocatalysis in chemistry.
- Homochirality: only one mirror-image form of amino acids is used in proteins.
- The discoveries enable chemists to drive reactions toward required chirality for pharmaceuticals.
- Award announced by Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences; each Nobel valued at 12 million kronor.
Summary
- Nobel Prize in Chemistry awarded to Henri B. Kagan and Kenso Soai.
- Award recognizes solving the mystery of life's molecular asymmetry.
- Molecules like amino acids are chiral with mirror images.
- Life typically uses only one version of these mirror-image molecules.
- Committee notes researchers explained why life favors one form.
Summary
- Henri Kagan and Kenso Soai win Nobel Prize in chemistry.
- Awarded for resolving how homochirality emerges spontaneously.
- Reactions developed are deemed spectacular by Nobel Committee chair.
- Kagan is affiliated with Université Paris-Sud; Soai with Tokyo University of Science.
- Prize money this year is 12 million Swedish kronor (about $1.2 million).