The International Advisory Board of IOCB Prague welcomes another scientific luminary: Professor M. G. Finn, a pioneer of Nobel-winning “click chemistry”

M. G. Finn collaborated on the development of “click chemistry”, which makes it easy to assemble molecular building blocks and quickly connect them, even in biological environments. In 2022, three of Finn’s colleagues were awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for this work. The method is now used worldwide to study cells and track biological phenomena.

Finn’s research group focuses on bioorthogonal chemistry and develops chemical reactions for studying biomolecules in their natural environments. These applications can be used in diagnostics and therapy, as well as in the preparation of new materials. Together with his colleagues, he works with functional virus-like particles, using the protein shells of viral particles as nano-architectures for various applications, from vaccines to targeted drug delivery. The group closely collaborates with industrial and academic partners on the development of substances such as antivirals, compounds to treat nicotine addiction, and medications for inflammatory diseases.

M. G. Finn currently serves as a professor at the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech). Over the course of his career, he has become known not only as a top-tier scientist but also as a beloved and supportive mentor. His laboratory has a reputation for openness, a multidisciplinary approach, and creativity. Many of Prof. Finn’s former students and postdoctoral researchers now lead their own research groups at prestigious institutions around the world.

As a member of IOCB’s International Advisory Board, M. G. Finn will primarily participate in the regular evaluations of research groups. Based on these evaluations, the institute’s leadership decides which groups will continue their work at IOCB Prague and which may be discontinued. Prof. Jan Konvalinka, director of IOCB Prague, notes: “I’m very much looking forward to working with M. G. Finn. He is one of the most inspiring chemists of our time, a Nobel-class scientist who combines scientific brilliance with a kind, generous outlook on the world. I’m proud that he accepted my invitation to serve in this honorary role on our International Advisory Board without hesitation and with enthusiasm.”

Prof. Finn’s work has been cited tens of thousands of times. His studies regularly appear in leading scientific journals such as Nature, Science, JACS, and ACS Nano. In the past, he also served as editor-in-chief of ACS Combinatorial Science.