BookS & ArtS
Theoretical realities initially planned to study medicine but, like provides a catalogue of his works in an appen many pre-meds in an era before the existence dix of the book). A frequent visitor to Michelin of combined MD–PhD programmes, decided three-star restaurants, Karplus chronicles his that research was his true calling. As a fresh time donning an apron in kitchens at these man, he realized that chemistry and physics establishments to stir beurre blanc, cut veal are essential to unlock biological mysteries, an and slice truffle. Admission to kitchens of this idea that underscores the ethos of the mole calibre was often challenging — Karplus had to cular dynamics simulations that ultimately impress Chef Joël Robuchon by identifying in made him famous. Discussions with Robert a cream soup a nuanced flavour of sea urchin. Oppenheimer and Albert Einstein on graduate Clearly, he came a long way from his “spinach school plans during his senior year of college incident” — which inspired the book’s title — Spinach on the Ceiling: The Multifaceted Life are sure to have helped. in which he threw a spoonful of spinach at the of a Theoretical Chemist Karplus’s tales of a turbulent graduate school ceiling as a rambunctious child. By Martin Karplus experience at Caltech will inspire readers to World Scientific Publishing (2020) 350pp, £35.00 muster fortitude when everything seems to be [Karplus’] book has drastically spinning out of control. He was dismissed by his revamped my perspective of uring my first semester of college at first advisor after an incident involving Richard software that is now routinely Johns Hopkins, I spent long hours in the Feynman during one of Karplus’s seminars. His run by biophysicists and Dcomputer lab completing coding assign second advisor abruptly departed for Yale. ments. One evening, I noticed a group of stu His research on the properties of bifluoride ions computational chemists around dents huddled around a screen playing with a progressed, however, with his third advisor, the world vivid, colourful protein structure. The structure Linus Pauling. Even then, on completing his in question was that of the Staphylococcus aureus thesis, Karplus discovered that a more general The book ultimately builds up to Karplus’s nuclease, the subject of a protein engineering ized and elegant approach to his goal had been personal account of winning the 2013 Nobel course. I was immediately struck by the aesthe already published. Prize in Chemistry. His narrative immerses tics of protein structures and decided to pursue Karplus’s career is a transatlantic tour de readers in the entire experience of his trip to studies in structural biology shortly thereafter. force, detailing fruitful times in Oxford, Illinois, Stockholm from details as minute as restau Courses on molecular dynamics and a period New York City, Cambridge, Paris and Stras rant suggestions from the chauffeur to those as a teaching assistant followed, but, despite bourg. The book walks readers through his early as significant as an Einstein-esque defiance these experiences, I was unaware of the rich his interests in NMR and reaction kinetics that regarding the specific contribution being tory behind molecular dynamics simulations. precede the defining moments in the develop recognized — he strongly believes that his Spinach on the Ceiling: The Multifaceted Life of ment of the quantum mechanical–molecular most impactful contribution was developing a Theoretical Chemist is an autobiographical mechanical approach and the first molecular molecular dynamics simulations for biomole work by Martin Karplus, who shared the 2013 dynamics simulation of a biomolecule. Karplus’s cules. Karplus heartwarmingly concludes the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for ‘the development scientific journey spans more than 70 years and, book with stories of the many visits to schools of multiscale models for complex chemical sys as such, the details in the book tangibly demon and outreach events as a Nobel laureate, visits tems’. Karplus pioneered molecular dynamics strate how advances in science and technology that will have inevitably inspired many young simulations of biomolecules, and his book has go hand-in-hand. As someone who has run scientists to chase their dreams. drastically revamped my perspective of software molecular dynamics simulations on a petascale Spinach on the Ceiling delivers invaluable that is now routinely run by biophysicists and supercomputer, I found it fascinating and sur insights into the development of molecular computational chemists around the world. real that Karplus wrote programs during his first dynamics simulations for biomolecules and Beginning with his childhood adventures faculty position by punching holes in paper tape seamlessly intertwines memorable anecdotes birdwatching around New England and exam and filling incorrect holes with nail polish! that encapsulate earnest curiosity, steadfast ining rotifers under a microscope, Karplus While he does not short-change readers resilience and remarkable work–life balance. reminds readers of the curiosity and thrill for interested in biophysics and theoretical chem Reviewed by Alfred C. Chin discovery that drive us all (even if they are istry, Karplus balances rigorous scientific dis frequently clouded by more practical respon cussions with refreshing chapters expounding Weill Cornell/Rockefeller/Sloan Kettering Tri-Institutional sibilities such as grant deadlines). He proudly his passion for photography and gastronomy. MD-PhD Program, New York, NY, USA. describes how, as a high school senior, he was He recounts sojourns around the world with e-mail: [email protected] declared a co-winner of the 1947 Westinghouse his Leica camera and working with cura https://doi.org/10.1038/s41570-020-0182-3 Science Talent Search and as a result got to tors to hold exhibitions for his photographs Competing interests meet US President Harry Truman. Karplus (he shares selected images with readers and The author declares no competing interests.
NaTure Reviews | Che mi st ry volume 4 | May 2020 | 225