Monday's Molecule #102

 
Name this molecule. Your task is to identify the molecule and give it a biochemically accurate name (the IUPAC name would be perfect, but it's not required). A Nobel Laureate is associated with this molecule, and similar molecules, because the prize was awarded, in part, for synthesizing them in the laboratory.

The first one to correctly identify the molecule and name the Nobel Laureate wins a free lunch at the Faculty Club. Previous winners are ineligible for one month from the time they first collected the prize.

There are three ineligible candidates for this week's reward: Alex Ling of the University of Toronto, Timothy Evans of the University of Pennsylvania, and John Bothwell of the Marine Biological Association of the UK in Plymouth, UK. John, Dale, and a previous winner (Ms. Sandwalk) have offered to donate their free lunch to a deserving undergraduate so the next two undergraduates to win and collect a free lunch can also invite a friend. Alex got the first one.

THEME:

Nobel Laureates
Send your guess to Sandwalk (sandwalk (at) bioinfo.med.utoronto.ca) and I'll pick the first email message that correctly identifies the molecule and names the Nobel Laureate(s). Note that I'm not going to repeat Nobel Laureate(s) so you might want to check the list of previous Sandwalk postings by clicking on the link in the theme box.

Correct responses will be posted tomorrow. I reserve the right to select multiple winners if several people get it right.

Comments will be blocked for 24 hours. Comments are now open.

UPDATE: The molecule is gibberellin A3 (GA3), a plant hormone. The Nobel Laureate is Elias Corey. The winner is, once again, Dima Klenchin of the University of Wisconsin. Congratulations Dima.

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