Fast Breaking Comment by Professor Ahmed H. Zewail

Professor Ahmed H. Zewail answers a few questions about this month's fast breaking paper in the field of Chemistry.

From •>>February 2003

Field: Chemistry
Article Title: "Biological water at the protein surface: Dynamical solvation probed directly with femtosecond resolution"
Authors: Pal, SK;Peon, J;Zewail, AH
Journal: PROC NAT ACAD SCI USA
Volume: 99
Page: 1763-1768
Year: FEB 19 2002
* CALTECH, Arthur Amos Noyes Lab Chem Phys, Lab Mol Sci, Pasadena, CA 91125 USA.
* CALTECH, Arthur Amos Noyes Lab Chem Phys, Lab Mol Sci, Pasadena, CA 91125 USA.

Why do you think your paper is highly cited?

Protein dynamics is central to biological activities and this first study of ours is to elucidate the nature of hydration directly at the intrinsic surface and with femtosecond resolution.

Does it describe a new discovery or a new methodology that's useful to others?

It’s a new methodology that offered surprising results.

What are some of the circumstances that led you to do this research?

A curiosity about the nature of surface water in biological systems.

Could you summarize the significance of your paper in layman's terms?

Protein surfaces without water cannot do their biological function. We are trying to shine some light on the nature of this interface in our living cells.

Ahmed H. Zewail
Linus Pauling Chair
Professor of Chemistry and Physics
Director, Laboratory for Molecular Sciences
California Institute of Technology
Pasadena, CA, USA

Read a classic Science Watch^® interview with Professor Ahmed H. Zewail.

ESI Special Topics, February 2003
Citing URL - http://www.esi-topics.com/fbp/2003/february03-AhmedZewail.html