The first academic paper by Martin Karplus appeared when he was 17 years old, marking the start of a career that spanned theoretical chemistry and biophysics. Moving from Vienna to the United States in 1938, he spent decades refining mathematical models that allowed scientists to visualize the complex movements of biological molecules at the atomic level.
Academic Foundation
Karplus attended Harvard College, graduating in 1951, before moving to the California Institute of Technology. He completed his doctoral studies in 1953 under the supervision of Linus Pauling. This education provided the technical grounding for his early research at the University of Oxford, where he worked with Charles Coulson from 1953 until 1955.
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During his tenure at Harvard University, Karplus collaborated with Arieh Warshel to develop computer programs that bridged the gap between classical physics and quantum mechanics. This approach enabled the simulation of chemical systems, such as the shape changes of retinal. These contributions were recognized with the 2013 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, awarded for the development of multiscale models for complex chemical systems.
Contributions to Spectroscopy
Beyond his work in molecular dynamics, Karplus was a key figure in the development of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. He defined the correlation between coupling constants and dihedral angles in protons, a relationship now known as the Karplus equation. His research group also originated the CHARMM program, which became a standard tool for molecular dynamics simulations.
Professional Appointments
Throughout his career, Karplus held positions at several institutions, including the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign and Columbia University. He joined the Harvard faculty in 1966. Later, he served as the director of the Biophysical Chemistry Laboratory, a joint venture between the University of Strasbourg and the French National Center for Scientific Research, while maintaining his ties to Harvard as the Theodore William Richards Professor of Chemistry.
Fast facts
- Born: 1930, Vienna, Austria
- Died: 2024, Cambridge, Massachusetts
- Education: Harvard College, California Institute of Technology
- PhD Advisor: Linus Pauling
- Primary Fields: Theoretical chemistry, NMR spectroscopy
- Key Recognition: 2013 Nobel Prize in Chemistry
- Citizenship: United States, Austria
Questions readers ask
What is the Karplus equation?
It is a mathematical formula used in nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy that describes how coupling constants relate to dihedral angles in protons.
What did Martin Karplus win the Nobel Prize for?
He received the 2013 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for developing multiscale models to simulate complex chemical systems.
Achievements
- Foreign Member of the Royal Society — 2000
- Commander of the Legion of Honour
- Nobel Prize in Chemistry — 2013
- Held posts at Columbia University, Harvard University and University of Strasbourg
- Educated at California Institute of Technology, Harvard College and Harvard University
- Fields of research: NMR spectroscopy and theoretical chemistry
