MRC National Institute for Medical Research, London
Science for Health
Newcomb Cleveland prize awarded to UCL/NIMR research team
29 January 2009
The prize was awarded for the discovery of a new molecular cue that promotes limb regeneration in newts – a finding that could help guide the field of regenerative medicine. The ability to regrow lost or damaged body parts varies considerably between different species. Research into how amphibians such as newts are able to regrow limbs can lead to a better understanding of why mammals have only limited regrowth abilities. This may provide clues to develop regenerative medicine.
The prize, now supported by Affymetrix, the Newcomb Cleveland Prize annually recognizes the author or authors of an outstanding paper published in the Research Articles or Reports sections of the journal Science between June and the following May.
Acely Garza-Garcia, a postdoctoral researcher in Paul Driscoll's research group in NIMR's Division of Molecular Structure, collaborated with a UCL group led by Jeremy Brockes to establish the precise structural relationship of the nAG protein to its close homologues, which gives clues as to its mechanism of action. Paul and Acely continue to collaborate with Professor Brockes on the structural analysis of nAG, Prod1 and the putative interaction between the two proteins.
The prize was established in 1923 with funds donated by Newcomb Cleveland of New York City and was originally called the AAAS Thousand Dollar Prize. It is now known as the AAAS Newcomb Cleveland Prize, and its value has been raised to $25,000. The winner also receives a bronze medal, complimentary registration and reimbursement for reasonable travel and hotel expenses to attend the AAAS Annual Meeting. Eligible Science papers include original research data, theory, or synthesis. They should represent a fundamental contribution to basic knowledge, or a technical achievement of far-reaching consequence. Winning nominations also should be a first-time publication of the author’s own work.
This is a prize for a paper and the five authors are very grateful to the AAAS for honoring it in this way. We also thank the persons unknown who nominated the paper for this award. Readers may be interested to inspect the paper which carries an authors summary to help make it accessible to those outside the field.
Professor Brockes
Original Article
Anoop Kumar, James W. Godwin, Phillip B. Gates, A. Acely Garza-Garcia, Jeremy P. Brockes (2007) Molecular basis for the nerve dependence of limb regeneration in an adult vertebrate. Science 318, 772-7 Abstract
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