Introduction to the Nobel Prize Winner
An immunologist born in west suburban Elmhurst is among the trio of researchers awarded the Nobel Prize in medicine Monday for their research on how the human immune system determines its targets. Fred Ramsdell, an Elmhurst native, shared the prestigious award with Dr. Shimon Sakaguchi and Mary Brunkow for their work on peripheral immune tolerance, the system that explains how the immune system knows not to attack the body’s healthy cells.
The Research and Its Impact
“Their discoveries have been decisive for our understanding of how the immune system functions and why we do not all develop serious autoimmune diseases,” said Olle Kämpe, chair of the Nobel Committee at the Swedish Karolinska Institute, in a news release. The committee said the trio’s work opened a new scientific field and aided the development of new medical treatments for cancer and autoimmune diseases, several of which are already in clinical trials.
Reaction to the Award
Ramsdell was on an off-the-grid camping trip in Montana when reached by The New York Times on Monday. He said he did not expect to receive the award. “I was just grateful and humbled by getting the award, super happy for the recognition of the work in general and just looking forward to sharing this with my colleagues, as well,” he told The Times.
Background of the Nobel Laureate
Born in Elmhurst, Ramsdell, 64, received his bachelor’s degree from the University of California, San Diego, and a doctorate in microbiology and immunology from the University of California, Los Angeles. “From improving care for conditions like multiple sclerosis to advancing cancer therapies, his work is driving medical breakthroughs that will shape the future of human health,” UCLA Chancellor Julio Frenk said in a statement.
Career and Contributions
Throughout his career, Ramsdell has held senior positions at several biotech companies. He currently serves as an advisor at the San Francisco-based Sonoma Biotherapeutics after co-founding the company. In a statement, Sonoma’s CEO and President Jeff Bluestone said Ramsdell’s work has been “the guiding light” for creating treatments for autoimmune diseases.
The Research Journey
Previous research by the three researchers — two American and one Japanese — laid the groundwork for their award-winning research. Sakaguchi, a professor at Osaka University in Japan, first discovered a previously unknown class of immune cells that protect the body from autoimmune disease. Meanwhile, Ramsdell and Brunkow’s separate research on a strain of mice particularly vulnerable to autoimmune disease led them to trace the cause to a genetic mutation. These discoveries led the researchers, now joining forces, to identify the regulatory T cells, which act as the immune system’s “security guards” to ensure it does not attack the body’s own tissues.
Previous Awards and Recognition
In 2017, Ramsdell and Sakaguchi, along with Sonoma co-founder Alexander Rudensky, were the recipients of the Crafoord Prize, an annual award meant to complement the Nobel Prizes, for their research on the regulatory T cells.
Conclusion
The Nobel Prize awarded to Fred Ramsdell, Dr. Shimon Sakaguchi, and Mary Brunkow is a testament to their groundbreaking research on the human immune system. Their work has significantly advanced our understanding of immune tolerance and has paved the way for new treatments for autoimmune diseases and cancer. This achievement highlights the importance of continued investment in scientific research and its potential to improve human health.
FAQs
- Who are the winners of the Nobel Prize in medicine?
The winners are Fred Ramsdell, Dr. Shimon Sakaguchi, and Mary Brunkow. - What was the focus of their research?
Their research focused on how the human immune system determines its targets, specifically on peripheral immune tolerance. - What is peripheral immune tolerance?
Peripheral immune tolerance refers to the system that explains how the immune system knows not to attack the body’s healthy cells. - What are the potential applications of their research?
Their research has aided the development of new medical treatments for cancer and autoimmune diseases. - What other awards have the researchers received?
In 2017, Ramsdell and Sakaguchi, along with Sonoma co-founder Alexander Rudensky, were the recipients of the Crafoord Prize for their research on the regulatory T cells.
