NIMR scientist wins EMBO Gold Medal
10 July 2008
The European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) have announced that Dr James Briscoe of the Medical Research Council’s National Institute for Medical Research will receive the prestigious EMBO Gold Medal for 2008.
The EMBO Gold Medal is awarded annually in recognition of the outstanding contribution that a young researcher has made to the molecular life sciences. It is widely regarded as the most prestigious award of its kind in Europe.
“James Briscoe has revolutionized our understanding of the specification of cell identity in a given spatial setting,” said Hermann Bujard, EMBO Executive Director. “His work exemplifies how talented scientists are advancing the field of molecular biology.”
Dr Briscoe’s research has shown how cells translate signal strength into developmental instructions by converting the strength of a molecular signal into time. The length of time is then interpreted as a command to produce a specific cell type.
“The discovery that concentration is effectively converted into time is a major shift in our understanding of how a graded signal acts to regulate genes,” stated Dr David Wilkinson, Head of Genetics and Development at NIMR, in his nomination of Briscoe for the EMBO Gold Medal.
“James’s discoveries have revealed general principles that may apply to many other contexts in which graded signals and downstream transcription factors control cell identity,” Dr Wilkinson continued.
On hearing that he had been awarded the EMBO Gold Medal Dr Briscoe referred to the success of his research team:
“I have been very fortunate to work with talented and smart people. They have taught me a lot, supported me fantastically, and made many significant contributions.”
James Briscoe will receive the EMBO Gold Medal and an award of 10,000 euro on 6 September 2008 at the EMBO Members Workshop, Frontiers of Molecular Biology, in Tampere, Finland.
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