Graeme Ian Bell, PhD, the Louis Block Distinguished Service Professor of Medicine and Human Genetics and an investigator in the Kovler Diabetes Center at the University of Chicago, has been awarded the Manpei Suzuki International Prize for 2012 for his pioneering work in understanding the role of genetics in the diagnosis and treatment of diabetes.
The prize, the world's largest award for diabetes research, includes a certificate of honor, a Japanese objet d'art and $150,000. Inaugurated in 2008 to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the Manpei Suzuki Diabetes Foundation, the prize honors "those who have enlightened researchers in the field of diabetes around the world with their original and excellent scientific achievements."
Bell is being recognized, according to the selection committee, for his "extensive and groundbreaking contributions over many years to many landmark discoveries in diabetes research utilizing the powerful technologies of molecular biology and genetics." He will receive the prize and present a commemorative lecture at the award ceremony in Tokyo on Feb. 5, 2013.
Bell is the second scientist from the University of Chicago to win this prestigious award in the five years it has been given. His colleague Donald F. Steiner, MD, the A.N. Pritzker Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus of Medicine and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, received the award for 2009.
"This is a wonderful honor and a very pleasant surprise," Bell said. "I am proud to find myself among such distinguished company and pleased that work from our laboratory and our many collaborators has had an impact on the field and been recognized in this way."
Bell studies the genetics of diabetes mellitus and the biology of the insulin-secreting pancreatic beta-cell. He cloned and characterized many of the genes that are key in the regulation of glucose metabolism including insulin, glucagon, glucose transporters and many others.
| Contact: John Easton john.easton@uchospitals.edu 773-795-5225 University of Chicago Medical Center Source:Eurekalert |