 Nobel Prizes
The Payoff from Animal Research
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.
The oldest groups opposing animal research were formed in the 1890's. Had they succeeded in their mission to end all animal research, none of these Nobel-prize-winning medical breakthroughs would have been made. What other medical advances would we miss if animal research were banned today?
|
Year
|
Scientist(s)
|
Animal(s)
|
Contributions Made
|
|
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
|
* Denotes FBR Board member
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