A renowned geneticist and cell biologist and a 2001 Nobel Laureate, Dr. Nurse has expanded the fundamental understanding of the cell cycle and its regulation by isolating and classifying the proteins that govern the process. His best- known contribution to unraveling the mysteries of cell cycle regulation was his discovery of the cell division cycle 2 (cdc2) gene in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. He concluded that the gene was responsible for contributing to cell cycle control at both the G1-S and G2-M checkpoints. Dr. Nurse later isolated, cloned, and characterized the human homologue of cdc2, referred to as cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1).
Further research involving such proteins as CDK1 has demonstrated that these kinases are vital to numerous biologic functions, capable of inducing large-scale molecular changes through their inherent phosphorylation capability. This class of proteins has since become an attractive area for anticancer drug discovery and development.
Career Highlights
2019 Elected Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science
2019 Genetics Society Centenary Medal (UK)
2018 Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star (Japan)
2017 Anthony Cerami Award in Translational Medicine, Feinstein Institute
2015 Elected Foreign Member, Chinese Academy of Sciences
2015 Henry G Friesen International Prize
2013 Albert Einstein World Award of Science
2010 Director, Francis Crick Institute
2010 President, Royal Society of London
2006 Elected Foreign Honorary Member, American Academy of Arts and Sciences
2005 Copley Medal, Royal Society, London
2003-2010 President, Rockefeller University
2002 Chief Executive, Cancer Research UK
2002 Legion d’Honneur (France)
2001 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
1999 Knight Bachelor of the British Empire (Queen ‘s Birthday Honours List)
1998 Albert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research
1997 Alfred P. Sloan, Jr., Prize, General Motors Cancer Research Foundation
1995 Royal Medal, Royal Society, London
1995 Elected Foreign Associate, National Academy of Sciences, Washington, D.C.
1993 Director of Research, Imperial Cancer Research Fund, London
1992 Gairdner Foundation International Award
1973 PhD, University of East Anglia