Chinese Journal of Nature ›› 2018, Vol. 40 ›› Issue (6): 411-419.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.0253-9608.2018.06.004

• Brief Introduction of Nobel Prize • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Directed evolution and phage display: biological methods open up a new era of Chemistry——A brief introduction to the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2018

GUO Xiaoqiang   

  1. Shenzhen Hospital, Peking University, Shenzhen 518036, Guangdong Province, China
  • Received:2018-11-12 Online:2018-12-25 Published:2018-12-21

Abstract:

Evolution is an important power for the diversity of life. The directed evolution of enzymes was first conducted by Frances Arnold in 1993. Enzymes produced through directed evolution are used to manufacture everything from biofuels to pharmaceuticals. The phage display, which can be used to express protein on the surface of the phage, was first developed by George Smith in 1985. The antibody was first produced with phage display by Gregory Winter in 1990. Adalimumab, the human antibody based on phage display, was approved in 2002 and then widely used in the treatment of various immune diseases. So, the directed evolution of enzymes and the phage display of antibodies have brought the greatest benefit to humankind and laid the foundation for future
chemical revolution. The three scientists, Frances Arnold, George Smith and Gregory Winter, shared the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2018 for their groundbreaking discoveries. Here, the invention and application of the methods and the contributions of scientists are introduced.