The 2009 OBC award lecture was given last week by Professor Wilfred van der Donk from the University of Illinois, US at the 42nd IUPAC Congress, held in Glasgow, UK. Professor van der Donk spoke as part of the Natural Products symposium at the congress and the prize was awarded to him by symposium convener Marcel Jaspars.

Wilfred van der Donk presented with his award by Symposium convener Marcel Jaspars

Professor van der Donk was selected by the judges in recognition of his contribution to the field of bioorganic chemistry, particularly related to lantibiotics and molecular processes associated with resistance to antiobiotics and bacterial infections. On winning the award he said 'It's a great honour for me; a great honour for my students, and we very much appreciate it.'

Nominations for the 2010 award will open later this year.

 

Richard Kelly