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2003 Agriculture Wolf Prize announced
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. * * * * * -- Yaron Gruder Director General The Wolf Foundation Phone: +972-9-9557120 Fax: +972-9-9541253 Email: Site: www.aquanet.co.il/wolf/ |
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