WORLD
Here are the few things you should know about the Japanese scientist.
Yoshinori Ohsumi was on Monday awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine for his research on autophagy - or understanding how damaged cells recycle themselves. "Autophagy has been known for over 50 years but its fundamental importance in physiology and medicine was only recognised after Yoshinori Ohsumi's paradigm-shifting research in the 1990's," the Nobel jury said.
Here are five things that you must know about the Japanese scientist and his work.
1. Ohsumi was born in southwest Fukuoka in Japan near the end of World War II, and was interested in chemistry at first. However, according to a 2012 interview, he then switched his focus to molecular biology.
2. Youngest of four brothers, Ohsumi received a PhD from the University of Tokyo in 1974 and spent several years at Rockefeller University in New York before coming back to Japan in the late 1980s.
3. 71-year-old Ohsumi is the 25th Japanese person to win a Nobel Prize, and the fourth in the medicine category, according to local media.
4. Ohsumi's work focussed on how cells break down and recycle their content, called autophagy, and has major implications for health and diseases. It could lead to a better understanding of diseases like Cancer, Parkinson's and Type 2 diabetes. Ohsumi used baker's yeast to identify genes essential for autophagy.
5. Autophagy is quite like the human body’s internal recycling system that tracks down scrap cells, takes away the useful components to generate energy or form a new cell. It is crucial in the prevention of cancerous growths, and, by maintaining a healthy metabolism, helps in protection from diseases like diabetes. Disturbances in the autophagy machinery can cause several diseases and genetic disorders.
6. Yoshinori Ohsumi has won numerous accolades previously as well. He won the Fujihara Award, from the Fujihara Foundation of Science (2005), Japan Academy Prize from Japan Academy (2006), Asahi Prize (2009), Kyoto Prize (2012), Gairdner Foundation International Award (2015), International Prize for Biology (2015), Keio Medical Science Prize (2015) and Wiley Prize in Biomedical Sciences (2016).
7. Talking about winning the Nobel Prize, Ohsumi told a press briefing in Tokyo that it was his childhood dream, "but it has not been the focus of my concern since I got into research -- I don't like competing". He also said he was worried about budget cutbacks in scientific research. In a separate interview with broadcaster NHK, he said he had "always wanted to do something that other people wouldn’t do". "I have fun doing what others don't do, rather than something that everybody is flocking to, he added. "I thought the breakdown (of cells) would be interesting, and that was my start," he said.
Delhi: All primary schools closed, classes shifted to online mode due to rising pollution levels
BIG trouble for Anil Ambani, criminal charges against his Rs 14422 crore company over...
Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 producer calls Singham Again team 'unfair' after the box office win
From Play to Pay, Gaming Is Big Business And A Genuine Professional Prospect
Leasehold vs Freehold: Exploring Options for Expats and Investors in Dubai
Mukesh Ambani's Reliance, Disney complete Rs 70352 crore media merger, to be headed by...
Badshah lands in legal trouble, case registered against rapper for...
GRAP III imposed in Delhi: What is allowed, what is banned amid 'severe' air quality
'Throwing me in deep end': Ricky Ponting takes fresh dig at Gautam Gambhir over Virat Kohli remarks
Revolutionizing Inventory Management in the Cloud Era: Pradeep Kumar’s Strategic Innovations
Delhi: AAP's Mahesh Khichi elected mayor as party defeats BJP in MCD polls
Delhi Air Pollution: GRAP 3 to be imposed in national capital from Nov 15, strict ban on...
WATCH: Inside Rinku Singh's Rs 3.5 crore luxurious house with rooftop bar, private pool
Renowned Yoga Guru Sharath Jois passes away at 53 after suffering heart attack
NASA alert! Giant 'God Of Chaos' asteroid set for close approach to Earth, may trigger astroquakes
UPPSC protest BIG update: RO-ARO exam postponed, PCS prelims to be held in one day
This man earned more money than Mukesh Ambani and world's richest man Elon Musk in one day, he is...
'World's best....': Japan vlogger's reaction to Bengaluru airport goes viral
Sania Mirza named Sports Ambassador of THIS city, not Delhi, Hyderabad, Jaipur
Shloka Mehta turns heads in sleek white gown at Tira store launch, see pics
Amid Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai divorce rumours, Jaya Bachchan surprises everyone with...
IND vs SA: Arshdeep Singh goes past Bhuvneshwar Kumar to become Indian pacer with most....
Mukesh Ambani, Isha Ambani’s luxury retail chain opens new store at...
PM Modi to receive Dominica’s highest national award for...
Shraddha Kapoor says people with big foreheads are…
'Busy making...': Kanhaiya Kumar sparks row with remarks on Devendra Fadnavis' wife; BJP hits back
'Full baarati vibes': Vietnamese man's epic 'nagin dance' steals show at Mumbai event
Tilak Varma credits THIS player for his century against South Africa, says 'He gave me...'
UPSC IFS Mains Admit Card 2024 to be released today at upsc.gov.in, check direct link to download
'Be prepared for...': Rupali Ganguly's stepdaughter Esha Verma REACTS to Rs 50 crore defamation case
Saudi, Iran: Cautious dance toward détente?
Anushka Sharma shares glimpse of Children’s Day special dish for daughter Vamika, son Akaay
Jaw-dropping! Man wraps massive green anaconda around his shoulders, internet says...
Donald Trump plans to end Russia-Ukraine war with THIS move, is expected to 'soon' appoint...
As pollution worsens in Delhi with AQI at 'severe' level, experts at COP29 urge India to...
SDM Assault Case: 60 people arrested in Rajasthan's Tonk
Veg thali cost more than non-veg thali in October, here's why
Land drug trafficking patterns in North-Eastern Region
Shillong Teer Result November 14, 2024: Know updates on lucky winning numbers
Mukesh Ambani's SUPERHIT offer for Jio users: Get unlimited validity for 84 days at just Rs...
Delhi air quality dips to 'severe' category as AQI nears dangerous...
Bigg Boss OTT-fame Bhojpuri actress Akshara Singh receives extortion threat
‘All I do is…’: After Arjun Kapoor confirms breakup with Malaika Arora, her cryptic video goes viral