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Previous Lasker Award Winners
Basic Research Awards
1999
Clay Armstrong, Bertil Hille and Rod MacKinnonFor elucidating the functional and structural architecture of ion channel proteins, which govern the electrical potential of membranes throughout nature, thereby generating nerve impulses and controlling muscle contraction, cardiac rhythm, and hormone secretion.
1998
Lee Hartwell, Paul Nurse and Yoshio MasuiFor pioneering genetic and molecular studies that revealed the universal machinery for regulating cell division in all eukaryotic organisms, from yeasts to frogs to human beings.
1997
Mark Ptashne For elegant and incisive discoveries leading to the understanding of how regulatory proteins control the transcription of genes .
1996
Robert F. Furchgott, Ph.D.* and Ferid Murad, M.D.,* Ph.D. for their seminal and ingenious discoveries which led to the fundamental understanding of the role of nitric oxide in health and disease.
1995
Peter C. Doherty, Ph.D., F.R.S.*For the epochal discovery of MHC Restriction of T-cell Recognition and the Single T-cell Receptor Altered-Self Hypothesis.
Jack L. Strominger, M.D.
For pioneering the isolation of and solution to the structures of Class I and Class II MHC proteins and their peptide complexes.
Emil R. Unanue, M.D.
For seminal discoveries in antigen processing and MHC-peptide binding which deciphered the biochemical basis of T-cell recognition.
Don C. Wiley, Ph.D.
For visualizing the three-dimensional structures of Class I and Class II proteins and their complexes with antigens and superantigens.
Rolf M. Zinkernagal, M.D., Ph.D.*
For the landmark discovery of MHC Restriction of T-cell Recognition, and the Altered-Self Hypothesis.
1994
Stanley B. Prusiner, M.D.*For landmark, revolutionary work that established the existence of an entirely new class of infectious agents, and which opened new understanding of the pathogenesis of several baffling neurodegenerative diseases.
1993
Gunter Blobel, M.D., Ph.D.For landmark discoveries concerning the processes by which intercellular proteins are targeted across cell membranes.
1991
Edward B. Lewis, Ph.D.*For fundamental research on the Bithorax Complex which established the role of homeotic genes in the development of cell patterns and provided a foundation for current studies of embryonic development.
Chrisiane Nusslein-Volhard, Ph.D.*
For charting new paths in development biology through investigations which led to the discovery of nearly all genes responsible for organizing basic body patterns.
1989
Michael J. Berridge, Ph.D., F.R.S.For his masterful research revealing how IP3 governs the intracellular level of calcium and orchestrates the major activities of the cell.
Alfred G. Gilman, M.D., Ph.D.*
For his pioneering studies of signal transduction and for his discovery that G-proteins carry signals that regulate vital processes within cells.
Edwin G. Krebs, M.D.*
For his seminal finding that phosphorylation activates major enzymes in cells, and for perceiving the profound importance of protein kinase enzymes.
Yasutomi Nishizuka, M.D., Ph.D.
For his profound contributions to the understanding of signal transduction in cells, and for his discovery that carcinogens trigger cell growth by activating protein kinas C.
1988
Thomas R. Cech, Ph.D.*For his revolutionary research revealing the enzymatic role of RNA, opening a new universe in molecular biology.
Phillip A. Sharp, Ph.D.*
For his series of revelations regarding the ability of RNA processing to convert DNA's massive store of genetic data to biological use.
1987
Leroy Hood, M.D., Ph.D.For his prolific and imaginative studies of somatic recombinations in the immune system, detailing in molecular terms the genetics of antibody diversity.
Philip Leder, M.D.
For hios elegant genetic studies, particularly in carcinogenesis, and for developing transgenic laboratory animals for the study of cancer and other diseases.
Susumu Tonegawa, Ph.D.*
For brilliantly demonstrating that the DNA responsible for antibody production is routinely reshuffled to create new genes during the lifetime of an individual.
1986
Rita Levi-Montalcini, M.D.*For her original concept that cell growth is governed by soluble substances, and for the discovery of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF).
Stanley Cohen, Ph.D.*
For discovering and biochemically defining Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) which illuminated the dynamics of cell growth.
1985
Michael S. Brown, M.D.* and Joseph L. Goldstein, M.D.*For their historic discovery of the basic mechanisms controlling cholesterol metabolism, opening the way to a new pharmacologic approach to the treatment of cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death and disability in the Western world.
1984
Michael Potter, M.D.For his fundamental research into the genetics of immunoglobulin molcules, paving the way for the development of hybridomas.
Georges J. F. Kohler, Ph.D.*
For his brilliant achievement in fusing plasma and myeloma cells to form the first hybridoma.
Cesar Milstein, Ph.D., F.R.S.*
For his superb achievement in creating the first hybridomas, a powerful new scientific tool.
1983
Eric R. Kandel, M.D.For his brilliant application of cell biology techniques to the study of behavior, revealing the mechanisms underlying learning and memory.
Vernon B. Mountcastle, M.D.
For his orininal discoveries which illuminate the brain's ability to perceive and organize information, and to translate sensory impulses into behavior.
1982
J. Michael Bishop, M.D.*For his elegant elucidation of the nature of oncogenes, and his contribution to the discovery that these genes are present in normal cells.
Raymond L. Erikson, Ph.D.
For his contributions to the first identification and functional characterization of the protein products of oncogenes, thus providing a clearer understanding of cell growth and regulation.
Hidesaburo Hanafusa, Ph.D.
For demonstrating how RNA tumor viruses cause cancer, and elucidating their role in combining, rescuing and maintaining oncogenes in the viral genome.
Harold E. Varmus, M.D.*
For his creative and successful pursuit toward the identification of the cellular oncogenes and their control.
Robert C. Gallo, M.D.
For his pioneering studies that led to the discovery of the first human RNA tumor virus and its association with certain leukemias and lymphomas.
1981
Barbara McClintock, Ph.D.*For her unparalleled achievement in first discovering that certain genetic elements are not static, but can move from one location to another on DNA.
1980
Paul Berg, Ph.D.*For his key, historic achievements which made recombinant DNA a brilliant reality, and inaugurated a new age of biomedical promise.
Herbert W. Boyer, Ph.D.
For his brilliant contributions to recombinant DNA methodology, particularly in enzymology, plasmids, and in application of synthetic DNA.
Stanley N. Cohen, M.D.
For his splendid contributions to recombinant DNA methodology, and for accomplishing the first transplantation of genes between cells.
A. Dale Kaiser, Ph.D.
For his crucial role in creating recombinant DNA methodology through his pathbreaking studies of cohesive single stranded DNA.
1979
Walter Gilbert, Ph.D.*For his brilliant development of a new technique for the rapid sequencing of DNA.
Frederick Sanger, Ph.D., C.B.E., ER.S.*
For his brilliant development of a new technique for the rapid sequencing of DNA.
Roger Wolcott Sperty, Ph.D.*
For contributing to a major advance in man's knowledge of brain function, and the understanding of mental and psychosomatic diseases.
1978
Hans W. Kosterlitz, M.D., Ph.D., D.Sc., F.R.S.For his pioneering work in identifying the relation of the opiate receptors to the naturally occurring enkephalins.
John Hughes, B.Sc., Ph.D.
For his demonstration of the specific structure of the enkephalins and the identification of their natural origin.
Solomon H. Snyder, M.D.
For his pioneering work in identifying the opiate receptors and the demonstration of their relation to the enkephalins.
1977
K. Sune D. Bergstrom, M.D., D.Med.Sc.* For his classic achievements in isolating prostaglandins, and elucidating the chemical structures of those types of prostaglandins designated as E and F.
Bengt Samuelsson, M.D., D.Med. Sc. *
For his exceptional accomplishments in elucidating the mechanism of the biosynthesis of prostaglandins, analyzing their metabolism, and developing new methods for their measurement.
John R. Vane, D.Sc., ER.S.*
For his discovery of prostacyclin, whose major action is to prevent the formation of the kind of blood clots that may lead to heart attack and stroke.
1976
Rosalyn S. Yalow, Ph.D.*For the discovery and development of the technique of radioimmunoassay.
1975
Roger C.L. Guillemin, M.D., Ph.D.*Whose research has expanded our knowledge of the interplay between the hypothalamus and the endocrine system.
Andrew V. Schally, Ph.D.*
Whose research has expanded our knowledge of the interplay between the hypothalamus and the endocrine system.
Frank J. Dixon, M.D.
For his outstanding contribution to the creation of a new medical discipline, immunopathology.
Henry G. Kunkel, M.D.
For his outstanding contribution to the creation of a new medical discipline, immunopathology.
1974
Ludwik Gross, M.D.For his original discovery of leukemia- and cancer-inducing viruses in mammals, and the elucidation of their biology and epidemiology.
Howard E. Skipper, Ph.D.
For his contributions to biology, biochemistry and pharmacology which have laid the foundations for the chemotherapy of cancer.
Sol Spiegelman, Ph.D.
For his contributions to molecular biology including techniques of molecular hybridization and the first synthesis of an infectious nucleic acid.
Howard M. Temin, Ph.D.*
For his contributions to the biology of RNA-containing cancer viruses and elucidation of the mode of action of viral genes.
1971
Seymour Benzer, Ph.D.For his brilliant contribution to molecular genetics.
Sydney Brenner, D.Phil.
For his brilliant contribution to molecular genetics.
Charles Yanofsky, Ph.D.
For his brilliant contribution to molecular genetics.
1970
Earl W Sutherland, M.D.*For his discovery of cyclic AMP, and for providing a comprehension of this key chemical mechanism, which regulates hormonal action.
1969
Bruce Merrifield, Pb.D.*For a new concept and a new method for the synthesis of polypeptides and proteins.
1968
Marshall W Nirenberg, Ph.D.*For his contributions toward deciphering the genetic code.
H. Gobind Khorana, Ph.D.*
For his contributions toward deciphering the genetic code.
William F. Windle, Ph.D., Sc.D.
For his basic discoveries in the field of developmental biology.
1967
Bernard B. Brodie, M.D.For his extraordinary contributions to biochemical pharmacology.
1966
George E. Palade, M.D.*For his fundamental contributions to the electron microscopy of biological materials.
1965
Robert W Holley, Ph.D.*For determining for the first time the chemical structure of an amino acid transfer RNA.
1964
Renato Dulbecco, M.D.* and Harry Rubin, D.V.M.For their fundamental contributions to our knowledge of the relationship between cancer and cancer-producing DNA and RNA viruses.
1963
Lyman C. Craig, Ph.D.For his countercurrent distribution technique as a method for the separation of biologically significant compounds, and for the isolation and structure studies of important antibiotics.
1962
Choh H. Li, Ph.D.For outstanding contributions to our understanding of the chemistry of pituitary hormones, including the identification and isolation of six hormones of the anterior pituitary gland.
1960
M.H.E Wilkins, Ph.D.*; EH.C.Crick, Ph.D.*; and James D. Watson, Ph.D.*Joint award for their contribution in revealing the structure of the DNA molecule.
James V. Neel, M.D., Ph.D. and L.S. Penrose, M.D., ER.S.
Joint award for laying the foundation for the rapid development of research in human genetics; and, specifically, to Dr. Neel for his work on thalassemia and sickle cell anemia.
Ernest Ruska, Dr.Eng. and James Hillier, Ph.D.
joint award for their major contribution to the design, construction, development and perfection of the electron microscope.
1959
Albert Coons, M.D.For his contributions in immunology and specifically for his development of the fluorescent method of labelling proteins, a significant tool for the study of infection in human beings.
Jules Freund, M.D.
For new findings in the field of immunology and allergy which have strengthened immunization procedures against such diseases as tuberculosis, malaria, rabies and poliomyelitis.
1958
Peyton Rous, M.D.*For invaluable contributions of new knowledge about the causes of cancers, the source of antibodies and the mechanism of blood cell generation and destruction in human beings.
Theodore Puck, Ph.D.
For development of original methods for pure culture of living mammalian cells as a basis for new research in their nutrition, growth, genetics and mutation.
Alfred D. Hershey, Ph.D.*; Gerhard Schramm, Ph.D.; and Heinz Fraenkel-Conrat, M.D., Ph.D.
Joint award for their part in the discovery of the fundamental role of nucleic acid in the reproduction of viruses and in the transmission of inherited characteristics.
Irvine H. Page, M.D.
For his many contributions to knowledge of the basic mechanisms of hypertension.
1957
Isaac Starr, M.D.For fundamental contributions to knowledge of the heart and the circulation, and for his development of the first practical ballistocardiograph.
1956
Karl Meyer, M.D. and Francis 0. Schmitt, D.Sc.Joint award for pioneering studies of the biochemical components of connective tissues, contributing to new understanding of arthritis and rheumatic diseases.
1955
Karl Paul Link, Ph.D.For fundamental contributions to our understanding of the mechanism of blood clotting and for the development of methods for the improved treatment of thromboembolic conditions.
Carl J. Wiggers, M.D.
For his exceptional contributions to the understanding of cardiovascular physiology.
1954
Edwin B. Astwood, M.D.For basic contributions to our knowledge of endocrine function, leading to the control of hyperthyroidism.
John E Enders, Ph.D.*
For his achievements in the cultivation of the viruses of poliomyelitis, mumps and measles.
Albert Szent-Gyorgyi, M.D.**
For his distinguished research achievements in the field of cardiovascular diseases, including the discovery of actomyosin, the essential contractible element of muscle.
1953
Hans A. Krebs, M.D., Ph.D., ER.S.*For his work as discoverer of the urea and citric acid cycles whic4 are basic to our understanding of how the body converts food into energy.
Michael Heidelberger, Ph.D.
For decisive contributions in developing a new subscience--the precise measuring too] of immunochemistry.
George Wald, Ph.D.*
For his outstanding achievements in explaining the physiology of vision in man.
1952
Sir F. MacFarlane Burnet, M.D.*For fundamentally modifying our knowledge of virus and the inheritance of characteristics by viruses.
1951
Karl F. Meyer, M.D.For bacteriological research in parasitology.
1950
George Wells Beadle, Ph.D.*For outstanding and fundamental contributions to the understanding of genetic control of metabolic processes.
1949
Andre` Cournand, M.D.*For Outstanding contributions to the physiology of the circulation in man and the diagnosis and treatment of heart disease.
William S. Tillett, M.D. and L.R. Christensen, M.D.
Joint award for the discovery and purification of the enzymes, streptokinase and streptodornase.
1948
Vincent du Vigneaud, Ph.D.*For his basic studies of transmethylation as essential to animal nutrition; for his contributions to the structure and synthesis of biotin and penicillin.
Selman A. Waksman, Ph.D.* and Reni J. Dubos, M.D.
Joint award for their achievement in studies of the antibiotic properties of soil bacteria; Dr. Waksman was also cited for his discovery of streptomycin.
1947
Oswald T. Avery, M.D.For distinguished service through studies on the chemical constitution of bacteria.
Thomas Francis, Jr., M.D.
For contributions to our total knowledge of influenza, and the development of a vaccine effective against Types A and B. successfully used during World War 11.
Homer Smith, D.Sc.
For distinguished research on cardiovascular and renal physiology.
1946
Carl Ferdinand Cori, M.D.*For his contributions to the knowledge of carbohydrate metabolism, which clarify the action of insulin in diabetes.
* Albert Lasker Award Winner who later received the Nobel Prize.
** Nobel Laureate when the Albert Lasker Award for this work was given.
More winners 
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