Adriaan (Ad) Bax is best known for the numerous nuclear magnetic resonance methods he developed for studying molecular structure and motions. These methods measure the very weak radiofrequency signals emitted by atomic nuclei when placed in a strong magnetic field. His early work, now widely adopted in chemistry, focused on linking each radiofrequency signal to a specific atom in the molecule.
Bax subsequently played a pioneering role in extending these methods to proteins and nucleic acids. By taking advantage of cloning and protein overexpression technology, which enabled incorporation of stable isotopes in these macromolecules, he developed the foundation for gaining deep insights into the structure of such molecules, how they move, and how they interact with others, including pharmaceutical drugs.
Bax is currently an NIH Distinguished Investigator at the National Institutes of Health, USA. He is an elected Member of the United States National Academy of Sciences (2002) and a Corresponding Member of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Sciences (1994). Prizes include the Kirkwood Medal from Yale University and the Welch Award in Chemistry.
Professional position
- NIH Distinguished Investigator and Chief, Biophysical Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Section, National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Subject groups
- Chemistry
Chemistry, physical
