June 18, 2010
It has been decided that Director Shinya Yamanaka of the Center for iPS Cell Research and Application will receive the Kyoto Prize.
This Prize is "an international award to honor those who have contributed significantly to the scientific, cultural, and spiritual betterment of mankind," presented by the Inamori Foundation. There is one Kyoto Prize for each of the following three categories: Advanced Technology, Basic Sciences, and Arts and Philosophy. This is its 26th year.
Director Yamanaka is receiving the Kyoto Prize in the category of Advanced Technology, for his "Development of Technology for Generating Induced Pluripotent Stem (iPS) Cells." It was evaluated that "by introducing just four transcription factor genes into dermal fibroblasts, Dr. Yamanaka succeeded in producing induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, which exhibit a pluripotency similar to that of embryonic stem (ES) cells. The iPS cell technology is now expected not only to expand the possibilities of regenerative medicine, but also to make significant contributions to the rapid progress of medical science in general."
The award ceremony is planned to be held on November 10, 2010 at the Kyoto International Conference Center.