Albert Lasker Award For Basic Medical Research

Albert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research

The Albert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research is a prestigious accolade bestowed annually by the Lasker Foundation. It is one of the most esteemed awards in the field of medicine and biomedical research, recognizing significant contributions that advance the understanding of biological processes and lay the foundation for developments in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. Since its inception in 1946, the award has honored scientists who have made seminal discoveries in basic medical research, often heralding breakthroughs that have led to improved health outcomes worldwide.

History

The award was established by Albert Lasker, an advertising executive and philanthropist, who was a fervent advocate for medical research and public health. The Lasker Awards were created to bring public attention to the achievements of medical researchers, with the hope of fostering widespread support for biomedical research. Over the years, the Albert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research has gained a reputation as a precursor to the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, with many recipients going on to receive Nobel recognition.

Criteria and Selection Process

Recipients of the Albert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research are selected based on their pioneering research contributions that have opened new areas of understanding in biology or medicine. The selection is made by a distinguished panel of experts, including previous Lasker laureates and leading figures in medical research. The process emphasizes the impact of the research on advancing medical science and its potential to improve human health.

Notable Recipients

Over the years, the award has recognized groundbreaking work across a wide range of biomedical fields. Notable recipients include:

- James Watson and Francis Crick (1959), for their discovery of the double helix structure of DNA - Elizabeth Blackburn, Carol W. Greider, and Jack Szostak (2006), for their discovery of telomerase, an enzyme that plays a key role in the aging of cells and cancer development - Jennifer Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier (2015), for their development of CRISPR-Cas9, a revolutionary genome-editing technology

Impact

The Albert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research has played a critical role in highlighting the importance of basic science as the foundation for medical breakthroughs. By recognizing outstanding contributions to biomedical research, the award not only honors individual scientists but also underscores the value of fundamental research in advancing human health. The achievements of the awardees have led to new therapies, vaccines, and diagnostic tools, demonstrating the profound impact of basic research on medical practice and public health.

See Also

• Lasker Foundation
• Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
• Biomedical research
• Medical research

External Links

• The Lasker Foundation Official Website