 The Nobel Prize is the most prestigious scientific award in the world. Awarded annually since 1901, the Nobel Prize recognizes outstanding accomplishment in physics, chemistry, and medicine, as well as in literature, economics, and the promotion of peace.
Ample proof of the success of animal research can be found in the vast body of Nobel Prize winning work in physiology and medicine. Although great advances have been made in computer modelling and cell cultures, animal research remains essential to medical progress: seven of the last ten Nobel Prizes in medicine have relied at least in part on animal research.
Complete list of Nobel Laureates whose work involved animal models:
* Denotes FBR Board member
2007
Capecchi*, Evans, Smithies
Mouse
Discovery of principles for introducing specific gene modifications in mice by the use of embryonic stem cells
2006
Fire, Mello
Roundworm
RNA interference, or gene silencing by double-stranded RNA
2005
Marshall, Warren
Gerbil
Discovery of a bacterium that leads to gastritis and peptic ulcer disease
2004
Axel, Buck
Mouse
Odorant receptors and the organization of the olfactory system
2003
Lauterbur, Mansfield
Clam, rat
Imaging of human internal organs with exact and non-invasive methods (MRI)
2002
Brenner, Horvitz, Sulston
Roundworm
Genetic regulation of organ development and programmed cell death
2000
Carlsson, Greengard, Kandel
Mouse, Guinea pig, sea slug
Signal transduction in the nervous system
1999
Blobel
Various animal cells
Proteins have intrinsic signals that govern their transport and localization in the cell.
1998
Furchgott, Ignarro, Murad
Rabbit
Nitric oxide as signaling molecule in cardiovascular system
1997
Prusiner*
Hamster, mouse
Discovery and characterization of prions
1996
Doherty, Zinkernagel
Mouse
Immune-system detection of virus-infected cells
1995
Lewis, Wieschaus, Nusslein-Volhard
Fruit fly
Genetic control of early structural development
1992
Fischer, Krebs
Rabbit
Regulatory mechanism in cells
1991
Neher, Sakmann
Frog
Chemical communication between cells
1990
Murray*, Thomas*
Dog
Organ transplantation techniques
1989
Varmus, Bishop
Chicken
Cellular origin of retroviral oncogenes
1987
Tonegawa
Mouse
Basic principles of antibody synthesis
1986
Levi-Montalcini, Cohen
Mouse, chick, snake
Nerve growth factor and epidermal growth factor
1984
Milstein, Kohler, Jerne
Mouse
Techniques of monoclonal antibody formation
1982
Bergstrom, Samuelsson, Vane
Ram, rabbit, guinea pig
Discovery of prostaglandins
1981
Sperry, Hubel*, Wiesel*
Cat, monkey
Processing of visual information by the brain
1980
Benacerraf, Dausset, Snell
Mouse, guinea pig
Identification of histocompatibility antigens and mechanism of action
1979
Cormack, Hounsfield
Pig
Development of computer assisted tomography (CAT scan)
1977
Guilemin, Schally, Yalow
Sheep, swine
Hypothalamic hormones
1976
Blumberg, Gajdusek
Chimpanzee
Slow viruses, and new mechanisms for dissemination of diseases
1975
Baltimore*, Dulbecco, Temin
Monkey, horse, chicken, mouse
Interaction between tumor viruses and genetic material
1974
de Duve, Palade, Claude
Chicken, guinea pig, rat
Structural and functional organization of cells
1973
von Frisch, Lorenz, Tinbergen
Bee, bird
Organization of social and behavioral patterns in animals
1972
Edelman, Porter
Guinea pig, rabbit
Chemical structure of antibodies
1971
Sutherland
Mammalian liver
Mechanism of the actions of hormones
1970
Katz, von Euler, Axelrod
Cat, rat
Mechanisms of storage and release of nerve transmitters
1968
Holley, Khorana, Nirenberg
Rat
Interpretation of genetic code and its role in protein synthesis
1967
Harttline, Granit, Wald
Chicken, rabbit, fish, crab
Primary physiological and chemical processes of vision
1966
Rous, Huggins
Rat, rabbit, hen
Tumor-inducing viruses and hormonal treatment of cancer
1964
Bloch, Lynen
Rat
Regulation of cholesterol and
fatty acid metabolism
1963
Eccles, Hodgkin, Huxley
Cat, frog,
squid, crab
Ionic involvement in excitation and inhibition in peripheral and central portions of the nerve
1961
von Bekesy
Guinea pig
Physical mechanism of simulation in the cochlea
1960
Burnet, Medawar
Rabbit
Understanding of acquired immune tolerance
1957
Bovet
Dog, rabbit
Production of synthetic curare and its action on vascular and smooth muscle
1955
Theorell
Horse
Nature and mode of action of oxidative enzymes
1954
Enders, Weller, Robbins
Monkey, mouse
Culture of poliovirus that led to development of vaccine
1953
Krebs, Lipmann
Pigeon
Characterization of the citric acid cycle
1952
Waksman
Guinea pig
Discovery of streptomycin
1951
Theiler
Monkey, mouse
Development of yellow fever vaccine
1950
Kendall, Hench, Reichstein
Cow
Antiarthritic role of adrenal hormones
1949
Hess, Moniz
Cat
Functional organization of the brain as a coordinator of internal organs
1947
Carl Cori, Gerty Cori
Houssay
Frog, toad, dog
Catalytic conversion glycogen; role of pituitary in sugar metabolism
1945
Fleming, Chain, Florey
Mouse
Curative effect of penicillin in bacterial infections
1944
Erlanger, Gasser
Cat
Specific functions of nerve cells
1943
Dam, Doisy
Rat, dog,
chick, mouse
Discovery of function of vitamin K
1939
Domagk
Mouse, rabbit
Antibacterial effects of prontosil
1938
Heymans
Dog
Role of the sinus and aortic mechanisms in regulation of respiration
1936
Dale, Loewi
Cat, frog
bird, reptile
Chemical transmission of nerve impulses
1935
Spemann
Amphibian
Organizer effect in embryonic development
1934
Whipple, Murphy, Minot
Dog
Liver therapy for anemia
1932
Sherrington, Adrian
Dog, cat
Functions of neurons
1929
Eijkman, Hopkins
Chicken
Discovery of antineuritic and growth stimulating vitamins
1928
Nicolle
Monkey, pig,
rat, mouse
Pathogenesis of typhus
1924
Einthoven
Dog
Mechanism of the electrocardiograph
1923
Banting, Macleod
Dog, rabbit, fish
Discovery of insulin and mechanism of diabetes
1922
Hill, Meyerhof
Frog
Consumption of oxygen and lactic acid metabolism in muscle
1920
Krogh
Frog
Discovery of capillary motor regulating system
1919
Bordet
Guinea pig,
horse, rabbit
Mechanisms of immunity
1913
Richet
Dog, rabbit
Mechanisms of anaphylaxis
1912
Carrel
Dog
Surgical advances in the suture and grafting of blood vessels
1910
Kossel
Bird
Knowledge of cell chemistry through work on proteins including nuclear substances
1908
Metchnikov, Ehrlich
Bird, fish,
guinea pig
Immune reactions and functions of phagocytes
1907
Laveran
Bird
Role of protozoa as cause of disease
1906
Golgi, Cajal
Dog, horse
Characterization of the central nervous system
1905
Koch
Cow, sheep
Studies of pathogenesis of tuberculosis
1904
Pavlov
Dog
Animal responses to various stimuli
1902
Ross
Pigeon
Understanding of malaria life cycle
1901
von Behring
Guinea pig
Development of diphtheria antiserum |