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Download Exploring the duality behind major scientific discoveries: A weapon
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Seminar III Science and Technology in New York City The City University of New York Exploring the duality behind major scientific discoveries: A weapon for piece or of mass destruction? Dr. Themis Lazaridis, CCNY Department of Chemistry Student: Joseph Derosa Instructor: Angelo Lampousis, PhD CHC 20301 Section HNRS2 Code 4009 Seminar III Science and Technology in New York City The City University of New York Presentation Outline 1. The Spark of Curiosity 2. The Nitrogen Problem 3. Fritz Haber: The Controversial Chemist 4. Dr. Lazaridis and Antimicrobial Peptides 5. The Research Spectrum: Universities vs. Industries Student: Joseph Derosa Instructor: Angelo Lampousis, PhD CHC 20301 Section HNRS2 Code 4009 Seminar III Science and Technology in New York City The City University of New York • Curiosity is the vital first step in any scientific innovation • Often times, curiosity does not align itself with a positive or negative thought • “Curiosity is what fuels university research to answer fundamental questions that will have lasting impacts.” -Dr. Themis Lazaridis Student: Joseph Derosa Instructor: Angelo Lampousis, PhD CHC 20301 Section HNRS2 Code 4009 Seminar III Science and Technology in New York City The City University of New York • Nitrogen is essential in the growth of organisms, and also a key ingredient in many fertilizers • The triple bond formed in N2 cannot be utilized by most organisms • Nitrogen fixation refers to the transformation of N2 into a Nitrogen compound that organisms can use (by combination with other molecules) Nitrogen fixation via denitrifying bacteria Student: • The form of nitrogen fixation performed by denitrifying bacteria is slow and inefficient Instructor: Angelo Lampousis, PhD CHC 20301 Section HNRS2 Code 4009 Seminar III Science and Technology in New York City The City University of New York • In Germany, Fritz Haber’s father was a merchant for a chemical business • Haber began to experiment with nitrogen and invented the method of synthesizing ammonia (NH3) using nitrogen and hydrogen in 1905 • This led to a very high population increase due to the efficiency of fertilizer production with ammonia • Over 100 million tons of ammonia produced per year Fritz Haber Student: Joseph Derosa • In 1918, Haber was awarded the Nobel Prize for his new method of ammonia synthesis, however, it was highly debated Instructor: Angelo Lampousis, PhD CHC 20301 Section HNRS2 Code 4009 Seminar III Science and Technology in New York City The City University of New York • Haber was very patriotic and applied his knowledge of chemistry to aid the Germans in World War I • Using nitrogen, he was able to create explosives and poison gas for the army which were used for bombing raids and mass murders • Although his synthesis of ammonia led to an increase in population, the application of his knowledge in creating explosives for the Germans killed thousands • Would it be just to remove him from the list of Nobel Prize Winners? Student: Joseph Derosa Instructor: Angelo Lampousis, PhD CHC 20301 Section HNRS2 Code 4009 Seminar III Science and Technology in New York City The City University of New York • Antimicrobial peptides are naturally produced proteins that interact with cell membranes and kill bacteria • The function of these peptides in Dr. Lazaridis’ research is purely beneficial, but can any negative aspect be drawn from this? • These peptides are lytic, meaning they split the membrane to kill a cell, which forms pores Different structures of Antimicrobial Peptides Student: Joseph Derosa • The formation of pores is deadly and can be used to harm a wide variety of cells that could kill humans, as well as other mammals Instructor: Angelo Lampousis, PhD CHC 20301 Section HNRS2 Code 4009 Seminar III Science and Technology in New York City The City University of New York Research in Universities: • Unaware of what curiosity will result in • Answers fundamental questions that may aid future scientists • Not bound by time restraints Research in Industries: • Curiosity stems from a goal that must be reached • Time-sensitive and bound by goals • Research is conducted for the result to be put in immediate use Does one of these types of research denote more negative outcomes than the other? Student: Joseph Derosa Instructor: Angelo Lampousis, PhD CHC 20301 Section HNRS2 Code 4009 Seminar III Science and Technology in New York City The City University of New York Acknowledgements & References "The Haber Process for the Manufacture of Ammonia.” The Haber Process. N.p., 6 Mar. 2002. Web. 9 Oct. 2012. Mihajlovic, M., Lazaridis, T. "Charge Distribution and Imperfect Amphipathicity Affect Pore Formation by Antimicrobial Peptides", BBA-Biomembranes , 1818:1274-83 (2012) Lazaridis, Themis [Interview with Dr. Angelo Lampousis, producer and host of the “Innovation Unedited” show through WNYE 91.5 Cosmos FM and City College of New York]. Provided as an audio file by Dr. Lampousis. Student: Joseph Derosa Instructor: Angelo Lampousis, PhD CHC 20301 Section HNRS2 Code 4009
