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Alexander M. Klibanov is the Novartis Professor of Chemistry, Emeritus at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His research primarily focuses on enzymatic catalysis in nonaqueous solvents and the role of enzymes as stereoselective catalysts in organic synthesis. Klibanov's groundbreaking work has led to the discovery of rules that enable enzymes to function as effective catalysts in organic solvents that contain water, enhancing their thermostability and specificity. His recent work includes developing novel microbicidal materials, which involve covalent attachment of long, moderately hydrophobic polycations to the surfaces of common materials like plastics and textiles, thereby rendering them permanently microbicidal. This strategy has proven effective against a variety of pathogenic bacteria and fungi. Klibanov's ongoing research aims to create material coatings with anti-viral and anti-sporal activities and to enhance the stability and bioavailability of therapeutic drugs. In addition, he has undertaken a systematic investigation into the selective chemical modifications of polyethylenimine (PEI) to improve its efficiency as a vector for plasmid DNA delivery in mammalian cells, leading to the discovery of PEI derivatives that exhibit significantly higher transfection efficiency with lower toxicity than the parent polymer, a notable advancement in non-viral gene delivery.