As Nobel laureates, foreign media and a host of other dignitaries descend on Stockholm for the week of festivities culminating with the Nobel Banquet on Monday, Charlotte West recalls her conversations with two of last year’s winners about the real significance of Nobel Week.

Roger Kornberg, PhD, is no stranger to the limelight, but never before has this biology professor been hounded for autographs by enthusiastic fans camped outside his hotel. Kornberg and six other Nobel laureates visited Stockholm to receive their prizes.