January 8, 2003 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

2002/3 WOLF PRIZE IN AGRICULTURE ANNOUNCED

Two American scientists, R. Michael Roberts and Fuller W. Bazer, to share
Prize for discoveries of pregnancy-maintaining factors.

Jerusalem - The 2002/3 Wolf Prize in Agriculture will be awarded to
Professor R. Michael Roberts, 64, of the University of Missouri, and to
Professor Fuller W. Bazer, 62, of Texas A&M University, for "discoveries of
Interferon-tau and other pregnancy-associated proteins, which have clarified
the biological mystery of signaling between embryo and mother to maintain
pregnancy," stated the Wolf Prize Jury in this field.

IMPACT ON ANIMAL PRODUCTION AND HUMAN HEALTH
While it has long been known that chemical communication between embryo and
mother is essential for successful pregnancy in mammals, little was known
about the details of this process before the two scientists began their
collaboration to elucidate on these relationships. Their pioneering joint
research has identified essential molecules responsible for maintaining
pregnancy in ruminants and swine.
R. Michael Roberts, Member of the National Academy of Sciences, USA, a
British born, naturalized American, received his Ph.D. in 1965 form Oxford
University. He was Research Associate and Assistant Professor, at the State
University of New York, Buffalo, from 1965 to 1968; and Assistant, Associate
Professor, and Professor of Biochemistry at the University of Florida, from
1970 to 1985. Since 1985, Roberts has been Professor of Animal Sciences and
Biochemistry at the University of Missouri, where he was appointed the J.
Fred McKenzie Distinguished Professor in Reproductive Biology. In 1995
Roberts assumed the Chair of Veterinary Pathobiology. From 1998 until 2000,
Professor Roberts was Chief Scientist of the National Research Initiative,
USDA.
Fuller W. Bazer received his M.Sc. in 1963f from the Louisiana State
University, and his Ph.D. in 1969, from North Carolina State University. He
was Assistant, Full and Graduate Research Professor at the University of
Florida, from 1968 to 1992. Since 1992 he has been Professor and occupied
the O.D. Butler Chair at the Department of Animal Sciences, Texas A&M
University. Until 2001 he served as Director of the Center for Animal
Biotechnology and Genomics, Director of the Institute of

Biosciences and Technology, and since 1999, Vice President for Research, at
that University.
Their subsequent independent investigations identified an array of proteins
and mechanisms that regulate embryo development, fetus growth and
immune-competence of the fetal-maternal unit. "Among his discoveries, Bazer
isolated a uterine protein called uteroferrin and identified it as a growth
factor that influences the survival of the neonate and may be useful in
treating diseases such as leukemia and osteoporosis," the Jury stated.
"Roberts has identified at least 100 expressed genes for
pregnancy-associated proteins, some of which hold promise as a basis for an
accurate and sensitive pregnancy test," added the Jury.

Both scientists exemplify how devotion to basic research in agriculture can
lead to practical outcomes that impact both animal production and human
health and well-being.

AWARDS TO BE PRESENTED IN JERUSALEM IN MAY 2003
The Israel-based Wolf Foundation was established by the late German-born
inventor, diplomat and
philanthropist, Dr. Ricardo Wolf. A resident of Cuba for many years, Wolf
became Fidel Castro's ambassador to Israel, where he lived until his death
in 1981. Five annual Wolf Prizes have been awarded since 1978, to
outstanding scientists and artists, "for achievements in the interest of
mankind and friendly relations among peoples, irrespective of nationality,
race, color, religion, sex, or political view." The prizes of $100,000 in
each area, are given every year in four out of five scientific fields, in
rotation: Agriculture, Chemistry, Mathematics, Medicine and Physics. In the
Arts, the Prize rotates among Architecture, Music, Painting and Sculpture.
To date, a total of 204 scientists and artists from 20 countries have been
honored.

The 2002/3 Wolf Prizes will be conferred by the President of the State of
Israel, Mr. Moshe Katsav, at a special ceremony, at the Knesset (parliament)
in Jerusalem, on Sunday, May 11, 2003.

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Yaron Gruder
Director General
The Wolf Foundation
Phone: +972-9-9557120
Fax: +972-9-9541253
Email:
Site: www.aquanet.co.il/wolf/