Madness and Memory: The Discovery of Prions--A New Biological Principle of Disease
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In 1997, Stanley B. Prusiner received a Nobel Prize, th...)
In 1997, Stanley B. Prusiner received a Nobel Prize, the world's most prestigious award for achievement in physiology or medicine. That he was the sole recipient of the award for the year was entirely appropriate. His struggle to identify the agent responsible for ravaging the brains of animals suffering from scrapie and mad cow disease, and of humans with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, had been waged largely alone and in some cases in the face of strenuous disagreement.
In this book, Prusiner tells the remarkable story of his discovery of prionsinfectious proteins that replicate and cause disease but surprisingly contain no genetic materialand reveals how superb and meticulous science is actually practiced with talented teams of researchers who persevere. He recounts the frustrations and rewards of years of research and offers fascinating portraits of his peers as they raced to discover the causes of fatal brain diseases. Prusiner’s hypothesis, once considered heresy, now stands as accepted science and the basis for developing diagnoses and eventual cures. He closes with a meditation on the legacy of his discovery: What will it take to cure Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Lou Gehrig’s and other devastating diseases of the brain?
Prion Biology and Diseases (Monograph) (Colonial Williamsburg Historic Trades)
(an authoritative and up-to-date source of information on ...)
an authoritative and up-to-date source of information on prion biology and disease written by the 1997 recipient of the Nobel Prize for his discovery of prions and a team of internationally recognized experts in the field.
Stanley Benjamin Prusiner M.D is an American neurologist and biochemist. Currently the director of the Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases at University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). Prusiner discovered prions, a class of infectious self-reproducing pathogens primarily or solely composed of protein. He received the Albert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research in 1994 and the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1997.
Background
Prusiner, Stanley Ben was born on May 28, 1942 in Des Moines. Son of Lawrence Albert and Miriam (Spigel) Prusiner. His ancestors lived in Shklov and Pruzhany (Belarus). In 2010 S.Pruziner addressed the President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko. As a result, the Head of State instructed the Regional Executive Committee of Mogilev to put in order the Jewish cemetery in Shklov. S.Pruzineru received the registrar's certificate about the life and activities of persons in Pruziner names in Shklov in 1877-1897.
Education
AB cum laude, University Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 1964; Doctor of Medicine, University Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 1968; Doctor of Science (honorary), University Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 1998; Doctor of Science (honorary), Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, 1999; Doctor of Science (honorary), University Liege, Belgium, 2000; Doctor of Science (honorary), Pennsylvania State University, 2001; Doctor of Philosophy (honorary), Hebrew University, Jerusalem, 1995; Doctor of Philosophy (honorary), René Descartes University, Paris, 1996; Doctor of Philosophy (honorary), Claremont Graduate University, California, 2007; Doctor of Medicine (honorary), University Bologna, Italy, 2000.
Career
Intern medicine University California, San Francisco, 1968—1969, resident neurology, 1972—1974, assistant professor neurology, 1974—1980, associate professor, 1980—1984, professor, since 1984, professor biochemistry, 1988—2008, director Institute Neurodegenerative Diseases, since 1999. Member neurology review committee National Institute Neurodegenerative Diseases (NIND), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 1982—1986, Bethesda, 1990—1992. Member science advisory board French Foundation, Los Angeles, since 1985, chairman science advisory board, since 1996.
Member science review committee Alzheimer's Disease Diagnosic Center & Research Grant Program, California, 1985—1989. Chairman science advisory board American Health Assistance Foundation, Rockville, Maryland, 1986—2000, honorary member board directors, Maryland, since 2001. Member advisory board Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Foundation, San Francisco, 1985—1991.
Member spongiform encephalopathy advisory committee Food and Drug Administration, 1997—2001. Board governors Foundation biomedical Research, Washington, since 2002. Board directors Fromm Institute Lifelong Learning, San Francisco, since 2002, International Longevity Center, New York City, since 2003.
Chairman board directors InPro Biotechnology Incorporated, San Francisco, 2001—2008. Director Institute Neurodegenerative Diseases, Imperial College, London, 2007—2008. Lieutenant Commander United States Public Health Service, 1969-1972.
Editor: The Enzymes of Glutamine Metabolism, 1973, Slow Transmissible Diseases of the Nervous System, 2 vols., 1979, Prions--Novel Infectious Pathogens Causing Scrapie and CJD, 1987, Prion Diseases of Humans and Animals, 1992, Prions Prions Prions, 1996, Molecular and Genetic Basis of Neurologic Disease, 3d edition, 2003, Prion Biology and Diseases, second edition, 2004. Contributor articles to professional journals.
Membership
Trustee Congregation Sherith Israel, San Francisco, 1999—2002, University Pennsylvania, 2000—2005, Fellow: American Association for the Advancement of Science, Royal College Physicians, American Academy Arts & Sciences, American Society Microbiology, member: National Academy of Sciences (council member 2007-2010, Institute Medicine, Richard Lounsbery award extraordinary achievements biology and medicine 1993), National Research Council (governing board member since 2008), World Jewish Academy of Sciences, Serbian Academy of Sciences, Protein Society (Amgen award 1997), Royal Society London, American Philosophical Society, American Society Molecular Biological & Biochemistry, American Society Cellular Biology, American Society Cell Biology, Genetics Society of America, American Society Human Genetics, Society Neurosci., American Chemical Society, American Society Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, American Society Clinical Investigation, American Neurological Association, American Society Virology, American Society Neurochemistry, American Association Physicians, American Academy Neurology (George Cotzias award outstanding research 1987, Presidential award 1993, Distinguished Achievement award 1998), Bohemian Club, Concordia Argonaut Club (board directors 1997—2005).
Personality
Stanley B. Prusiner's zodiac sign is Gemini. Gemini is the third astrological sign in the Zodiac, originating from the constellation of Gemini. The symbol of the twins is based on the Dioscuri, two mortals that were granted shared godhood after death.
Traditional Gemini traits are adaptable, versatile, communicative, witty, intellectual, eloquent, youthful and lively.
Gemini are extremely independent and freedom is essential to their mental well being. They are very sociable and love to talk with other people. Being intellectually qurious Gemini love to gathering information and sharing it with loved ones.
People will never be bored while being around Gemini who are lively, quick-witted and enthusiastic. Skilful and talented to work with their hands. They like to communicate and do work that requires independent thinking. Career options for Gemini may typically include: Teacher, Sales Professional, Writer, Inventor, Actor, Product Development Specialist, Journalist etc. Gemini tend to be very loyal and faithful. In marriage Gemini want equality. This is why female Gemini may pursue their career even after having children, to get independence and financial stability.
Recipient Potamkin prize for Alzheimer's Disease research, National Institutes of Health, 1991, Distinguished Medical Graduate award, University Pennsylvania School Medicine, 1991, Medical Research award, Metropolitan Life Foundation, 1992, Christopher Columbus Discovery award, National Institutes of Health/Medical Society Genoa, Italy, 1992, Charles A. Dana award, 1992, Dickson prize, University Pittsburgh, 1992, Max Planck Research award, Alexander von Humboldt Foundation/Max Planck Society, 1992, Gairdner Foundation International award, 1993, Albert Lasker award for basic medical research, 1994, Caledonian Research Foundation prize, Royal Society Edinburgh, 1995, Paul Ehrlich & Ludwig Darmstaedter award, Germany, 1995, Paul Hoch award, American Psychopath. Association, 1995, Wolf Foundation prize in medicine, Israel, 1996, ICN Virology prize, 1996, Victor & Clara Soriano award, World Federation Neurology, 1996, Pasarow Foundation prize, 1996, Charles Leopole Mayer prize, French Academy of Sciences, 1996, Keio International prize, 1996, Baxter award, American Association Medical Colleges, 1996, Louisa Gross Horwitz prize, Columbia University, 1997, Nobel prize in physiology/medicine, 1997, K.J. Zulch prize, Gertrude Reemtsma Foundation, 1997, Benjamin Franklin medal, Franklin Institute, 1998, Jubilee medal, Swedish Medical Society, 1998, Sir Hans Krebs medal, Federation European Bio-chemical Societies, 1999, Ellen Browning Scripps medal, 2000, Distinguished Alumni award, University Pennsylvania College Arts & Sciences, 2003, Commonwealth award, 2004, William Beaumont medal, 2005, National Medal Science, The White House, 2010. Grantee, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, 1976-1981.
Alfred P. Sloan Research fellow, University California, 1976-1978.
Recipient Potamkin prize for Alzheimer's Disease research, National Institutes of Health, 1991, Distinguished Medical Graduate award, University Pennsylvania School Medicine, 1991, Medical Research award, Metropolitan Life Foundation, 1992, Christopher Columbus Discovery award, National Institutes of Health/Medical Society Genoa, Italy, 1992, Charles A. Dana award, 1992, Dickson prize, University Pittsburgh, 1992, Max Planck Research award, Alexander von Humboldt Foundation/Max Planck Society, 1992, Gairdner Foundation International award, 1993, Albert Lasker award for basic medical research, 1994, Caledonian Research Foundation prize, Royal Society Edinburgh, 1995, Paul Ehrlich & Ludwig Darmstaedter award, Germany, 1995, Paul Hoch award, American Psychopath. Association, 1995, Wolf Foundation prize in medicine, Israel, 1996, ICN Virology prize, 1996, Victor & Clara Soriano award, World Federation Neurology, 1996, Pasarow Foundation prize, 1996, Charles Leopole Mayer prize, French Academy of Sciences, 1996, Keio International prize, 1996, Baxter award, American Association Medical Colleges, 1996, Louisa Gross Horwitz prize, Columbia University, 1997, Nobel prize in physiology/medicine, 1997, K.J. Zulch prize, Gertrude Reemtsma Foundation, 1997, Benjamin Franklin medal, Franklin Institute, 1998, Jubilee medal, Swedish Medical Society, 1998, Sir Hans Krebs medal, Federation European Bio-chemical Societies, 1999, Ellen Browning Scripps medal, 2000, Distinguished Alumni award, University Pennsylvania College Arts & Sciences, 2003, Commonwealth award, 2004, William Beaumont medal, 2005, National Medal Science, The White House, 2010. Grantee, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, 1976-1981.
Alfred P. Sloan Research fellow, University California, 1976-1978.
