Sharon Hammes-Schiffer, Electrons and Protons Move Together to Enable Chemistry and Biology

At the November 2024 Meeting of the American Philosophical Society, Dr. Sharon Hammes-Schiffer delivered a lecture exploring how electrons and protons move together to drive fundamental chemical and biological processes. She discussed her groundbreaking work in proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET), quantum mechanics in enzymatic reactions, and applications in energy conversion and drug design. About the Speaker: Dr. Sharon Hammes-Schiffer is a renowned physical chemist, currently the A. Barton Hepburn Professor of Chemistry at Princeton University. She is a leader in theoretical and computational chemistry, with a focus on how charged particles move in chemical and biological systems. Her research integrates chemistry, physics, biology, and computer science, advancing the fields of: 🔹 Biochemistry – Understanding enzymatic catalysis and protein motion 🔹 Physical Chemistry – Developing quantum mechanical models for reaction dynamics 🔹 Inorganic Chemistry – Investigating proton transfer in energy conversion systems 🔹 Computational Chemistry – Applying quantum mechanics and classical molecular dynamics Dr. Hammes-Schiffer has formulated a general theory of proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) that has revolutionized our understanding of hydrogen tunneling, enzyme catalysis, and energy conversion processes. Her nuclear-electronic orbital approach has enabled the incorporation of nuclear quantum effects into electronic structure calculations, with applications in solar energy, catalysis, and drug development. She serves as the Editor-in-Chief of Chemical Reviews and has held editorial roles with the Journal of Physical Chemistry and Theoretical Chemistry Accounts. In 2024, she was elected to the American Philosophical Society in recognition of her contributions to chemistry. Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction: Electrons, Protons, and Their Role in Chemistry 00:01:42 - Electron and Proton Transfer in Chemical Reactions 00:03:22 - Quantum Mechanical Effects in Proton Transfer 00:05:54 - Proton-Coupled Electron Transfer (PCET) in Biology and Chemistry 00:07:22 - Computational Models for PCET and Energy Conversion 00:10:14 - Hydrogen Tunneling and Quantum Mechanics in Enzymes 00:12:55 - Proton Wires and Their Applications in Solar Energy 00:15:47 - Enzyme Catalysis: How Electrons and Protons Work Together 00:18:40 - Validating Theoretical Models with Experimental Data 00:21:18 - Q&A: Chemistry Beyond Earth – Universal Principles? 00:23:26 - Hydrogen Isotope Effects and Quantum Tunneling in Enzymes 00:25:24 - Challenges in Computational Chemistry and Large-Scale Simulations About the American Philosophical Society: Founded in 1743 by Benjamin Franklin, the American Philosophical Society (APS) is the oldest learned society in the United States, dedicated to advancing useful knowledge across disciplines. The APS fosters intellectual exchange through: 🔹 Elected membership of distinguished scientists and scholars 🔹 Interdisciplinary meetings and discussions on cutting-edge research 🔹 A world-renowned research library and archive, preserving scientific manuscripts 🔹 Grants, fellowships, and awards supporting research in chemistry, physics, and biology