BBSRC congratulates UK Nobel winner

8 October 2012

Professor Sir John Gurdon.
Image: Wellcome Library

BBSRC warmly congratulates Prof Sir John Gurdon who has been awarded the 2012 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. Prof Gurdon has been awarded the prize, together with Prof Shinya Yamanaka, for his contribution to the discovery that mature, specialised cells can be reprogrammed to become immature cells capable of developing into all tissues of the body. Prof Gurdon has previously received BBSRC grant funding.

Prof Douglas Kell, BBSRC Chief Executive, said: "Prof Gurdon's work in frogs demonstrated that adult cells could be introduced into an egg and that it could still form into a fully functional tadpole and frog. This fundamental biology discovery overturned years of previous theory and laid the foundation for current exciting research in induced pluripiotent stem cells (iPS). Although iPS research still has some way to go it offers tantalising and exciting possibilities for improving human health."

"I am very pleased to welcome the Nobel Committee's decision and warmly congratulate Prof Gurdon on his award and his achievements. Recognition like this demonstrates the strength of UK life science research and the vital place of fundamental biology in driving progress in a wide range of fields."

ENDS

Notes to editors

Prof Sir John Gurdon received grants BBS/B/14647 (2004-07) and GTH12595 (2000-04) from BBSRC.

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