Enzymes That Are Not Proteins: The Discovery of Ribozymes

Listen to HHMI President Dr. Thomas Cech discussing his Nobel Prize–winning discovery of RNA's catalytic properties. Includes animations newly created for the discussion. Also featured on the HHMI DVD, The Double Life of RNA, available free from HHMI. Order DVDs here.

19 minutes
Large: Play: Mac / Win  |  Download: Mac (62 MB)/ Win (69 MB)
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Which Balloon Has Hydrogen?

Air is an invisible gas as are hydrogen and helium. How can you tell if a balloon contains hydrogen? Hydrogen has particsular physical and chemical properties that can be tested. Dr. Cech enlists student volunteers to show how a chemical reaction can be used to identify a substance. Also featured on the DVD The Double Life of RNA, available free from HHMI. Order DVD here.

5 min 55 sec
Large: Play: Mac / Win  |  Download: Mac (22 MB)/ Win (30 MB)
Small: Play: Mac / Win  |  Download: Mac (10 MB)/ Win (9 MB)

Mr. Lincoln Glows

A catalyst is a substance that greatly accelerates a chemical reaction and yet does not directly participate in the reaction and is therefore not consumed. Dr. Cech uses a penny and a beaker of acetone to illustrate how a catalyst works. Also featured on the DVD The Double Life of RNA, available free from HHMI. Order DVD here.

5 min 40 sec
Large: Play: Mac / Win  |  Download: Mac (11 MB)/ Win (15 MB)
Small: Play: Mac / Win  |  Download: Mac (5 MB)/ Win (4 MB)

Oxalate Catalysis

Without an appropriate catalyst some chemical reactions would be so slow as to appear not to occur at all on the human timescale. However, when catalyzed, these reactions can be very dramatic. Dr. Cech shows a very colorful reaction involving oxalate catalysis. Also featured on the DVD The Double Life of RNA, available free from HHMI. Order DVD here.

5 min 54 sec
Large: Play: Mac / Win  |  Download: Mac (23 MB)/ Win (31 MB)
Small: Play: Mac / Win  |  Download: Mac (10 MB)/ Win (9 MB)

On Becoming a Scientist: Dr. Thomas Cech

HHMI President Dr. Thomas Cech discusses the path he took to become a scientist and his reaction to receiving the Nobel Prize. Also featured on the HHMI DVD, The Double Life of RNA, available free from HHMI. Order DVDs here.

9 min 15 sec
Large: Play: Mac / Win  |  Download: Mac (29 MB)/ Win (35 MB)
Small: Play: Mac / Win  |  Download: Mac (14 MB)/ Win (12 MB)