Discovery Of P53 Tumour Suppressor Gene Earns Sir David Lane 'Royal Gold Medal' By Royal Society Of Edinburgh

Main Category: Genetics
Also Included In: Cancer / Oncology
Article Date: 20 Sep 2008 - 2:00 PDT

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Sir David Lane, chairman of Singapore A*STAR's Biomedical Research Council, has received the Royal Gold Medal for his outstanding contribution to cancer research through his discovery of p53 tumour suppressor gene.

The Royal Gold Medal is one of the highest accolades from the Royal Society of Edinburgh and is given to recipients whose intellectual endeavour have made an impact on people's lives worldwide.

Dr. Lane termed the tumour suppressor, p53, which was discovered back in 1979[1] as the "Guardian of the Genome". It is the single most crucial defence the cell has against cancer, and it affects cell cycle processes from cancer to ageing. p53 is a crucial target in cancer therapy and research into it is essential in understanding the cell cycle.

Co-discoverers of p53 are Arnold Levine and William Old as well as Dr. Lane.

Congratulating Dr. Lane, A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research) Chairman Lim Chuan Poh said, "David is most deserving of the award, and I extend my deepest congratulations to him. His outstanding work on p53 and the impact they have on cancer research worldwide highlight the contributions of basic research to advancing human healthcare. David is an example of how a passionate and persevering scientist can make such a difference to the world through research and development."

Dr. Lane is also the founder and chief executive of A*STAR's Experimental Therapeutics Centre, which carries out developmental work and pre-clinical evaluation on potential new drugs discovered in A*STAR research institutes. His work on p53 in Singapore is still ongoing at A*STAR's Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology.

He is concurrently the Chief Scientist for Cancer Research UK, UK's largest cancer charity.

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Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release.
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(A*STAR):

A*STAR is Singapore's lead agency for fostering world-class scientific research and talent for a vibrant knowledge-based Singapore. A*STAR actively nurtures public sector research and development in Biomedical Sciences, Physical Sciences and Engineering, with a particular focus on fields essential to Singapore's manufacturing industry and new growth industries. It oversees 19 research institutes and consortia and supports extramural research with the universities, hospital research centres and other local and international partners. At the heart of this knowledge intensive work is human capital. Top local and international scientific talent drive knowledge creation at A*STAR research institutes. The Agency also sends scholars for undergraduate, graduate and post-doctoral training in the best universities, a reflection of the high priority A*STAR places on nurturing the next generation of scientific talent.

For more information, please visit http://www.a-star.edu.sg/.

Source: Cathy Yarbrough
Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore