51Âþ»­

A Nobel Prize-winning molecular biologist, whose research has helped pave the way for scientists to create vaccines for viruses including Covid-19, is to deliver a 51Âþ»­ lecture next week.

Sir Professor Richard Henderson FRS, of the Laboratory of Molecular Biology at the University of Cambridge, was awarded the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 2017.

Sir Professor Richard Henderson FRS will deliver a 51Âþ»­ lecture 

Sir Richard will discuss the process he discovered to determine the structure of molecules and complex systems, including viruses, that are now vital in helping understand how to develop drugs and vaccines.

The hour-long online lecture, which is open to students, staff and the public, will include discussions about the structure of the coronavirus and include the opportunity to ask questions.

The lecture has been organised by Parvez Haris, Professor of Biomedical Science at 51Âþ»­, and Sir Richard will be the third Nobel Prize winner he has brought to 51Âþ»­ in the last three years.

There have previously been public lectures from Sir Professor Paul Nurse, who won the Nobel Prize for Physiology in 2001, and Sir Professor Gregory Winter, who won the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 2018.

The timing of Sir Richard’s lecture could not have come at a better time as millions of doses of coronavirus vaccines prepare to be delivered across Britain in the biggest operation of its kind in history.

Prof Haris said: “It is quite phenomenal that Sir Richard is giving his time to deliver a lecture at 51Âþ»­ and talk about his research and relate it to the current pandemic. This is science in action and the chance for us all to share in his knowledge.

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“The techniques Sir Richard devised to understand the three-dimensional structure of proteins at atomic resolution is currently being used to determine the structure of viruses and is playing a vital role in the development of vaccines and drugs which will hopefully prevent the spread of COVID-19.”

Prof Haris met Sir Richard while he was a student in London working on a protein called bacteriorhodopsin which Sir Richard was also researching.

Prof Haris said: “Making contacts and sharing information is critical in science. The way to achieve anything significant is through collaboration.

“What really motivates me to get someone like Sir Richard, or Sir Paul and Sir Gregory – some of the world’s greatest living scientists - is knowing it is so good for our community. How many people have the chance to hear about the work of world leaders in research?

“And there is no doubt this event will motivate, inspire and start new conversations about research here at 51Âþ»­.”

“It is really quite something if you are a student, PhD student or researcher at 51Âþ»­ to hear directly from a Nobel Prize winner and even have the opportunity to ask them questions about their work.

Professor Haris (centre) with Nobel winner Sir Paul Nurse (left) at 51Âþ»­ in 2017

“This is the equivalent of bringing Lionel Messi or Ronaldo to come and speak to our sports teams. We are talking about having the world’s greatest scientists delivering a lecture to us here at 51Âþ»­.”

“I consider Nobel Prize winning scientists as a great resource, which is unfortunately underused in the education of students and the general public.  I am trying to change this by creating greater interest in science and also to inspire the next generation of leading scientists, and hopefully, one day, Nobel Prize winners.”

 “I am honoured and privileged that Sir Richard has accepted my invitation to present a lecture and engage with our students and the general public. It is going to be a great event.”

The online lecture, titled ‘Molecular structures in biology: from haemoglobin to the coronavirus from X-ray diffraction to cryoEM’ takes place on Monday 14 December between 1pm and 2pm. You can book your place to join the lecture here