The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine is the highest honor bestowed on a scientist concerning their research. The main criterion is that the recipients make a discovery that has provided the “greatest benefit to mankind”. Nobel laureates over the last two centuries since its inception in 1895 have made breakthrough discoveries driving the progression of health and medicine.
The prize was established by Swedish chemist, Alfred Nobel, who left enough money in his will to create awards for outstanding contributions to humankind. Nobel was an inventor, entrepreneur, scientist, and businessman. His varied interested reflect each prize he established. His wealth was on account of his invention of dynamite. He also held over 350 patents, which contributed to his acquired wealth. According to the Nobel Foundation, Nobel left most of his fortune to establish prizes in physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, literature, and work in peace.
This year three immunologists have been awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine: Mary E. Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell, and Shimon Sakaguchi. They have been recognized for their groundbreaking discovery concerning immune tolerance, which prevents the body from harming itself. They all contributed to the identification and characterization of an immune population known as regulatory T cells (Tregs). These discoveries have led to extensive advancement in autoimmune disorders and treatment. Brunkow is a Senior Program Manager at the Institute for Systems Biology (ISB). Her current work supports various projects investigating genetic diseases, sepsis biomarkers, and scientific wellness. Ramsdell is Co-Founder and Scientific Advisory Board Chair of Sonoma Biotherapeutics, which focuses on clinical-stage biotechnology and developing therapies targeting Tregs. Sakaguchi is a Principal Investigator and Professor of Experimental Immunology at the University of Osaka Immunology Frontier Research Center. His work investigates Treg development and function, which extends his Nobel Prize work on Tregs.
Brunkow, Ramsdell, and Sakaguchi collectively helped drive the understanding of how our immune systems avoid targeting normal, healthy tissues. The immune cell directly responsible for this were identified as the immune system’s security guards, Tregs. Sakaguchi made the first seminal discovery in 1995 when he reported on Tregs, an unknown class of immune cells at the time. Later in 2001, Brunkow and Ramsdell discovered why specific mice were particularly susceptible to autoimmune disorders. They found that the mice had a mutation in a specific gene known as Foxp3. Similarly, this corresponding gene in humans, IPEX, was found to cause autoimmune disorder in patients. Two-years later, Sakaguchi linked the two discoveries to show that Foxp3 regulates the development of Tregs. It has now been repeatedly shown that these immune cells, Tregs, monitor other immune cell populations and regulate immune system tolerance. The discovery of Tregs and its associated gene has provided a targetable population and marker to overcome many diseases, particularly, autoimmune.
Their foundational discoveries have laid the foundation for a new field of research. Additionally, their work has led to medical treatments that are being tested in clinical trials for autoimmune disorders, cancer, and issues during stem cell transplants. Overall, their research has made a major impact in the field of immunology and has provided understanding of autoimmune disorders that have significantly enhanced therapy and improved patient care.
Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, Mary E. Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell, Shimon Sakaguchi, ISB, Sonoma Biotherapeutics, University of Osaka, Immunology Frontier Research Center
