James Thomson Honored with Largest Award in U.S. Medicine and Science

Madison, Wisconsin - Dr. James Thomson, who was the first to isolate and grow human embryonic stem cells in culture, has been named a recipient of the nation's largest award in medicine and science.

Thomson, a professor of cell and regenerative biology at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, is one of three recipients of the 11th annual Albany Medical Center Prize in Medicine and Biomedical Research. The $500,000 prize is the largest award given in medicine and science in the U.S.

"Dr. Thomson's stem-cell research, dating back nearly 20 years, has been characterized by one significant breakthrough after another," said Dr. Robert Golden, dean of the School of Medicine and Public Health. "Hundreds of researchers around the world are able to use these cells to advance both understanding and progress towards cures and treatments. We are extremely proud of our colleague's distinction."

Thomson joined the UW School of Medicine and Public Health faculty in 1999 after serving as an assistant scientist at the Wisconsin Regional Primate Center. After first deriving embryonic stem cells from primates, he subsequently isolated and grew such cells from human tissue, a milestone finding that was published in 1998.

Later, he and Dr. Shinya Yamanaka (also a recipient of this year's prize) demonstrated that adult skin cells could be "reprogrammed" to an embryonic state.

He is also director of regenerative biology at the Morgridge Institute for Research in Madison and the recipient of numerous international honors for his work.

The Albany Prize, established in 2000 by the late Morris "Marty" Silverman, honors scientists whose work has demonstrated "significant outcomes that offer medical value of national or international importance."  Thomson will receive the prize May 13 in Albany.

Dr. Elaine Fuchs of The Rockefeller University in New York is this year's third recipient.