Nobel Prize laureate in Chemistry gives student lecture at Vrije Universiteit Brussel

On Tuesday 5 March 2024, Nobel Prize laureate in Chemistry Ben Feringa visited the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (Belgium). He gave a lecture called 'The Art of Building Small' which introduced students to his research on molecular nanotechnology and molecular motors. This research opens the doors for revolutionary applications in various sectors, including medicine and pharmaceuticals.
In an auditorium filled to the rafters, professor Feringa immersed students of Medicine, Pharmaceutical sciences, Biomedical sciences, Chemistry, Bioengineering and Engineering in the chemistry adventure that took him to Stockholm and the Nobel Prize. He made an inspiring pitch about the importance of science and nanotechnology in human progress.
VUB-rector Jan Danckaert:
“We were honoured to host a lecture by one of the greatest scientists of our time. Ben Feringa is someone who understands the true meaning of science. Science is about observing, and that is exactly what he does: Professor Feringa observes and analyses nature because we can learn a lot from it. Science is also about hope. Hope is what Professor Feringa offers with his nanorobots. They may be extremely small, but they represent extremely big science. Today’s laboratory breakthroughs may lead in a few years - perhaps a few decades - to revolutionary applications that change all our lives. Innovations that make new treatments possible. I think it is clear that without science, there can be no progress, there can be no sustainable future.”
The lecture was part of the wider programme of Nobel Prize Dialogue Brussels. The global Nobel Prize Dialogue is a forum for scientists and non-scientists to enhance dialogue between the scientific community and wider society. The 2024 Nobel Prize Dialogue Brussels is organised by Nobel Prize Outreach in Sweden in cooperation with the European Research Council.