Frances H. Arnold is an American chemical engineer and biochemist known for her pioneering work in the field of directed evolution. She was born on July 25, 1956, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.

Key Contributions and Achievements:

1. Directed Evolution: Frances Arnold is renowned for developing the technique of directed evolution, a method used to engineer enzymes and proteins with specific properties. Directed evolution involves creating mutations in genes and selecting for desirable traits in the resulting proteins through iterative rounds of evolution.
2. Enzyme Engineering: Arnold’s work in directed evolution has revolutionized enzyme engineering, allowing scientists to create enzymes that are more efficient, selective, and stable, with applications in various industries, including pharmaceuticals and biofuels.
3. Nobel Prize in Chemistry: In 2018, Frances Arnold was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for her groundbreaking contributions to the directed evolution of enzymes. She became the fifth woman to win the Nobel Prize in Chemistry since its inception in 1901.
4. Academic Career: Arnold is a professor of chemical engineering, bioengineering, and biochemistry at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech). She has also held various leadership roles in academia and industry.
5. Entrepreneurship: Frances Arnold co-founded Gevo, Inc., a company that uses synthetic biology to produce renewable chemicals and biofuels.
6. Recognition and Awards: In addition to the Nobel Prize, Arnold has received numerous prestigious awards and honors for her scientific achievements, including the Millennium Technology Prize and the Charles Stark Draper Prize.

Frances Arnold’s work in directed evolution has had a profound impact on the fields of biochemistry, enzyme engineering, and synthetic biology. Her innovative approach to engineering proteins has opened up new possibilities for creating biologically based solutions to various challenges. She is recognized as a pioneering scientist who has significantly advanced the understanding and application of protein engineering.