William E. Moerner
Nobel laureate: Nobel Prize in Chemistry (2014)
Biography
William Esco Moerner, born on June 24, 1953, in Pleasanton, California, is an American physical chemist known for his pioneering work in single-molecule spectroscopy. This work changed the way chemistry, physics, and biology are studied. After high school at Thomas Jefferson High, Moerner attended Washington University in St. Louis for his undergraduate studies, focusing on chemistry and physics. He then went on to earn his doctorate at Cornell University, setting the stage for his future research.
Moerner's groundbreaking achievement was the first optical detection and spectroscopy of a single molecule in condensed phases, achieved with his postdoctoral researcher Lothar Kador. This advance allowed scientists to study individual molecules rather than relying on averages of many, providing new insights into biological, chemical, and physical processes at the molecular level.
Throughout his career, Moerner has worked on the biophysics and imaging of single molecules, creating methods to observe and control them. His research has given scientists the tools to track proteins, understand DNA, and examine cellular processes in detail. This work has impacts across many areas, from basic research on molecular motion to advancements in medical diagnostics and drug development.
Moerner's contributions have been honored with many awards, including the 2014 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, which he shared with Eric Betzig and Stefan Hell for their work on super-resolved fluorescence microscopy. He has also received the Wolf Prize in Chemistry in 2008, the Peter Debye Award in Physical Chemistry in 2013, and the Irving Langmuir Award in Chemical Physics in 2009. He is a fellow of major scientific organizations such as the American Physical Society, the Optical Society, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
Before Fame
Growing up in California during the 1960s and early 1970s, Moerner experienced a time of rapid technological growth and scientific discovery. As an Eagle Scout early on, he showed the dedication and methodical approach that would later define his scientific career. During his education, laser technology was being developed, and new spectroscopic techniques were emerging—both of which became essential in his later work.
Moerner's education took him from California to the Midwest and then to the Northeast, giving him exposure to different research environments and scientific ways of thinking. At Washington University in St. Louis and Cornell University, he encountered the changing field of physical chemistry, just as new technologies were enabling previously impossible measurements. This was perfect timing, as the tools needed for single-molecule detection were becoming available as he started his independent research career.
Key Achievements
- First optical detection and spectroscopy of a single molecule in condensed phases
- Development of single-molecule fluorescence techniques widely used in biological research
- Nobel Prize in Chemistry (2014) for super-resolved fluorescence microscopy
- Wolf Prize in Chemistry (2008) for pioneering single-molecule spectroscopy
- Fellowship in multiple prestigious scientific academies and societies
Did You Know?
- 01.He achieved Eagle Scout rank in his youth, demonstrating early leadership and organizational skills
- 02.His first single-molecule detection experiment was performed at extremely low temperatures using a technique called fluorescence line-narrowing spectroscopy
- 03.The single-molecule techniques he developed are now routinely used to study everything from protein folding to viral infections
- 04.He won the Earle K. Plyler Prize in 2001, recognizing his contributions to molecular spectroscopy
- 05.His work has enabled the development of super-resolution microscopy techniques that can image structures smaller than the diffraction limit of light
Awards & Honors
| Award | Year | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Nobel Prize in Chemistry | 2014 | for the development of super-resolved fluorescence microscopy |
| Wolf Prize in Chemistry | 2008 | — |
| Fellow of the American Physical Society | — | — |
| Irving Langmuir Award in Chemical Physics | 2009 | — |
| Earle K. Plyler Prize | 2001 | — |
| Fellow of the Optical Society | — | — |
| Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science | — | — |
| Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences | — | — |
| Eagle Scout | — | — |
| Peter Debye Award in Physical Chemistry | 2013 | — |
| honorary doctor of the Aix-Marseille University | 2016 | — |