Laureate receives Nobel after death
Three scientists won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their novel findings about the human immune system, but one passed away before announcement.
The Nobel Foundation on Monday awarded its Prize in Medicine to Bruce Beutler from the US, Luxembourg-born Frenchman Jules Hoffmann, and Canadian Ralph M. Steinman, who surprisingly passed away three days before announcement.
The incident is unique in the 110 year history of the prestigious prize which is only awarded to living scientists.
However, after a special session the Nobel Assembly at the Swedish Karolinska institute said the decision will remain unchanged because the Nobel committee was unaware of the late Canadian cell biologist’s death.
"According to the statutes of the Nobel Foundation, work produced by a person since deceased shall not be given an award. However, the statutes specify that if a person has been awarded a prize and has died before receiving it, the prize may be presented," the statement said.
"The events that have occurred are unique and, to the best of our knowledge, are unprecedented in the history of the Nobel Prize," the Nobel foundation added.
The 68-year-old scientist who died due to pancreas cancer was credited with discovering dendritic cells, which help the immune system purge invasive micro-organisms.
The foundation praised the three laureates for their novel works in which signaling molecules unleash antibodies and killer cells to respond to invading microbes.
”This year’s Nobel laureates have revolutionized our understanding of the immune system by discovering key principles for its activation,” said the jury.
"Their work has opened up new avenues for the development of prevention and therapy against infections, cancer and inflammatory diseases," the statement added.
Understanding this throws open the door to new drugs and also tackling immune disorders, such as asthma, rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s disease, in which the body mysteriously attacks itself.
"Their work has opened up new avenues for the development of prevention and therapy against infections, cancer and inflammatory diseases," the jury said.
Source: presstv.ir
