The Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine 2015 was awarded to three people this week: William C. Campbell, Satoshi Ōmura and Youyou Tu .
The first two recipients were awarded prizes for a “novel therapy” against infections for roundworm parasites. Youyou Tu was awarded for a new drug that helps patients with Malaria.
The UMHS Endeavour takes a brief look at the significance of the therapies awarded and what this means for medicine and future doctors at American and Caribbean medical schools.
A Look at the Winners
The official Nobel Prize press release says the prize was awarded jointly to William C. Campbell and Satoshi Ōmura for the therapy for roundworm parasites and the other half to Youyou Tu for the Malaria therapy.
Below are facts about the winners and their discoveries from the Nobel press release:
- “Diseases caused by parasites have plagued humankind for millennia and constitute a major global health problem. In particular, parasitic diseases affect the world's poorest populations and represent a huge barrier to improving human health and wellbeing. This year's Nobel Laureates have developed therapies that have revolutionized the treatment of some of the most devastating parasitic diseases.”
- “William C. Campbell and Satoshi Ōmura discovered a new drug, Avermectin, the derivatives of which have radically lowered the incidence of River Blindness and Lymphatic Filariasis, as well as showing efficacy against an expanding number of other parasitic diseases. Youyou Tu discovered Artemisinin, a drug that has significantly reduced the mortality rates for patients suffering from Malaria.”
- “These two discoveries have provided humankind with powerful new means to combat these debilitating diseases that affect hundreds of millions of people annually. The consequences in terms of improved human health and reduced suffering are immeasurable."
BREAKTHROUGHS IN MEDICINE HONORED: The three Nobel Prize recipients discovered drugs that will help treat these human ailments. Photo: NobelPrize.org
“This pretty much goes without saying, but the drugs that Campbell, Ōmura, and Tu have developed are powerful new tools that humanity can use to combat diseases that affect hundreds of millions of people annually,” says the website Digital Trends.com. “These drugs will lead to improved health and reduced suffering on an absolutely massive scale.”
For more information, visit http://www.nobelprize.org/ and http://www.digitaltrends.com/cool-tech/nobel-prize-winners-2015-physics-chemistry-medicine/
(Top photo) AWARDED FOR DRUGS TO FIGHT ROUNDWORM PARASITES & MALARIA: Nobel winners announced. Photo: Nobel.org
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Scott is Director of Digital Content & Alumni Communications Liaison at UMHS and editor of the UMHS Endeavour blog. When he's not writing about UMHS students, faculty, events, public health, alumni and UMHS research, he writes and edits Broadway theater reviews for a website he publishes in New York City, StageZine.com.
