American Scientists Named as Laureates of the 2008 (24th) J...(ncesin information communication. Fie...)

Field II: Medical Genomics and Genetics

Dr. Victor A. McKusick (U.S.A.)

University Professor of Medical Genetics, the McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine at The Johns Hopkins University
Date of Birth: October 21, 1921, 86 years of age

Establishment of medical genetics and contributions to its development

With the completion of the human genome project, we have come to understand almost all of the genetic information contained in DNA, which is encoded in a series of letters. However, we are still some way from fully identifying those parts, which are related to the treatment of diseases. Dr. Victor A. McKusick, recipient of the current fiscal year's Japan Prize in the category of "Medical Genomics and Genetic", has spent over half a century compiling related knowledge, and advocating the importance of the formulation of a genomic map for genetic disorders. Today, researchers and clinicians around the world are sharing the fruits of Dr. McKusick's labors which have become indispensable to the world of genetic medicine.

Contact:

Masaaki Ueda, Executive Officer

The Science and Technology Foundation of Japan

Phone: +81-3-5545-0551

Fax: +81-3-5545-0554

E-mail: info@japanprize.jp

URL: http://www.japanprize.jp/English.htm