Nobel Prize 2012

As you’ve almost certainly heard, this year’s Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine has been awarded to Professor Sir John Gurdon and Professor Shinya Yamanaka. This is thoroughly deserved recognition for groundbreaking work that not only provided revolutionary insights into the nature and plasticity of the genetic material inside each cell, but has also opened up promising avenues for personalised stem cell therapies.

Here at the Company of Biologists, we’re particularly delighted that John has been honoured with this prize. He has been involved with CoB for many years, and was the Chair of our Board of Directors from 2000 to 2011 – this picture of him now hangs in our corridor…

During John’s time as CoB Chairman, the Node was launched – with his full support. Indeed, we even hosted our launch party at the institute that bears his name, as evidenced by the photo! For a man who, according to his science teacher, would never make a scientist, I think it’s safe to say that he’s not done badly… From personal experience, I can also divulge that, not only is he an outstanding scientist – still running a highly productive lab at the age of 79 – but he’s also a mean croquet player!

Many people have written much more eloquently than I could about John and Shinya’s contributions to the reprogramming field, so I’ll just add my voice to the chorus of congratulations!

(12 votes)

Loading...