Pioneer of genetic analysis awarded the 2011 MRC Millennium Medal
15 December 2011
From left to right: Professor Mark Sansom, head of biochemistry at the University of Oxford; Professor Sir John Savill, MRC chief executive; Professor Sir Edwin Southern, 2011 MRC Millennium Medal recipient; Sir John Chisholm, MRC chairman; and Professor Anthony Hamilton, vice-chancellor of the University of Oxford.
Molecular biologist Professor Sir Edwin Southern was awarded the 2011 MRC Millennium Medal on Tuesday 13 December, recognising his outstanding impact on genetic analysis and his invention of both the Southern blotting technique and DNA microarray technology.
The MRC Millennium Medal recognises an MRC-funded scientist for outstanding research which has made a major contribution towards the health and wealth of our society.
Sir Ed has dedicated his life to the field of DNA research. In 1975 he invented a revolutionary technique for identifying whether specific sequences are contained in a sample of DNA, known as the ‘Southern Blot’. One of the most famous developments of the blotting process was the invention of DNA fingerprinting by Professor Sir Alec Jeffreys, an MRC-funded scientist at the University of Leicester.
In 1985 Sir Ed moved to the University of Oxford to take up the Whitley Professorship of Biochemistry, and it was here that he further developed the science that underpins the Southern Blot into DNA microarray technology, also known as DNA chips. DNA chips use a large number of probes to detect whether certain genes are present in a sample, or to determine changes in gene expression levels. This technology allows clinicians to monitor a patient’s response to treatment at the genetic level. DNA chips are also used in drug discovery to identify potential drug targets, and the global market for this technology is worth many billions of pounds.
Commenting on the award, MRC chief executive Sir John Savill said:
“The MRC is proud to award this year’s Millennium Medal to one of the UK’s most pioneering scientists. Ed has made a huge impact across the field of genetics and his work continues to play an important role in research today. Without the blotting technique, so many other discoveries and advances would not have been made. Ed’s research has transformed healthcare and improved the lives of many patients.”
On receiving the award, Sir Ed said:
“I am greatly thankful for the support of the Medical Research Council. From my time working at the MRC Mammalian Genome Unit in Edinburgh, I know first hand how the MRC’s approach to its scientists allows the freedom to explore. It is this freedom that led to my development of the blotting process. The MRC has very high standards, and to be funded by them is a commendation in itself.”
Professor Anthony Hamilton, vice-chancellor of the University of Oxford, called Sir Ed a “scientist, innovator, entrepreneur and philanthropist whose influence has been seen far beyond this country”.
Professor Mark Sansom, head of biochemistry at the University of Oxford, said:
“I hope we can live up to the example provided by Ed and inspire the next generation of biochemistry researchers to go on and also achieve great things.”
In addition to his academic research activities, Sir Ed founded biotechnology company Oxford Gene Technology in 1995. Its mission is to develop advanced molecular tools for biologists and to make them widely available through licensing, products and service activities. Through the company, Sir Ed has established two charities: the Kirkhouse Trust which works to improve crops in semi-arid regions of East and West Africa; and the Edina Trust which promotes and funds science in schools.
Previous winners of the MRC Millennium Medal, which was inaugurated in 2000, have included Dr Cesar Milstein, for his pioneering work on monoclonal antibodies; Professor Tom Meade, for his contribution to UK health, particularly in the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular disease; and Professor Sir Peter Mansfield, who played an instrumental role in the development of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
