The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
In the first week of October each year, the recipients of the Nobel Prizes in Physiology or Medicine, Physics, Chemistry, Literature and Peace are announced, as Alfred Nobel stated in his will. First out is the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine — and it is the Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institutet that selects the recipients since 1901.
2022's Nobel laureate
Svante Pääbo highlighted the Neanderthal in us
When Svante Pääbo talked about the importance of Neanderthals, the audience in Aula Medica listened carefully. The Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine explained, among other things, that we carry their genes and that they may have been more sensitive than we think. "Our research group is obsessed with the Neanderthals since twenty years," he said.
Svante Pääbo on his Nobel experience: ”It’s been a bit overwhelming”
Svante Pääbo hasn’t even physically collected his 2022 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine yet. Still, he is already dreaming of making new ground-breaking discoveries. On Dec. 6, he met journalists at the Nobel Forum, home of the Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institutet.
Watch Svante Pääbo's 2022 Nobel Prize lecture
Nobel laureate Svante Pääbo shows us where we came from
Where do we originate from? And who are we? Thanks to Svante Pääbo, 2022 Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine, we know more about what make us uniquely human. We also know what we have in common with our, now-extinct, closest relatives.
Hugo Zeberg on his colleague: “I’ve learnt a lot from him“
Many people were delighted to hear that Professor Svante Pääbo was awarded the 2022 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, particularly so KI researcher Hugo Zeberg. He has collaborated with Svante Pääbo for years.
Nobel Prize curiosity
A prize that attracts worldwide attention
Few prizes attract the same attention worldwide and have such a rigorous selection process as the Nobel Prize. Thomas Perlmann is the one who makes that life-changing phone call the first Monday of every October. But it's actually not his favourite part of the job. Find out what thrills the secretary of KI's Nobel Assembly and Committee the most.
To work with a Nobel legend
Most researchers will never come close to winning a Nobel Prize. But some are fortunate enough to work with one of the 200 or so living Nobel legends of the research world. Meet three of the lucky ones.
Nobel Calling - events in the spirit of knowledge
During Nobel Week, the world's eyes are directed towards Stockholm and ground-breaking research. For KI's researchers, it is a chance to focus on research that deserves more attention. Organize your event during the week and get traction in marketing via Nobel Calling Stockholm.
Previous years' Nobel Prizes
Ardem Patapoutian and David Julius unlocked one of nature’s secrets
The 2021 prize is about how people can feel temperature and touch. The discoveries explain basic functions in our lives and have opened doors to new treatments for pain, for example. We take for granted the fact that we can feel an icy wind or a hot plate, but how this actually works was discovered by the Nobel Laureates.
Harvey J. Alter, Michael Houghton and Charles M. Rice discovered the hepatitis C virus
The 2020 prize awarded the discovery of the hepatitis C virus. Thanks to the work of the laureates, it is now possible to detect the virus in blood and to provide an effective treatment for the infection. It has saved the lives of millions of people. The prize also focuses on the importance of research into viruses.
William G. Kaelin Jr, Sir Peter J. Ratcliffe, and Gregg L. Semenza explained a vital ability
The 2019 prize went to three laureates that explained a vital ability – how cells adapt to the availability of oxygen. These discoveries have opened the door to new strategies for combating anaemia, cancer and many other diseases and are now being investigated further at institutions like Karolinska Institutet.
James P. Allison and Tasuku Honjo discovered a new way to treat cancer
The 2018 prize recognized the discovery that it is possible to treat cancer by inhibiting the brakes on the immune system. Behind the laureates' discovery lies a bold idea and curious basic research, which has led to an entirely new principle for cancer therapy and new medicines that have already been approved. Many factors contribute to rapid developments in this field including research at KI.
KI researchers on the Nobel Prize in Chemistry
Click chemistry 2022: “A fantastic tool for biological discoveries”
The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences awarded the 2022 Nobel Prize in Chemistry to K. Barry Sharpless, Morten Meldal and Carolyn R. Bertozzi for the development of click chemistry, a quick and efficient way to build molecules. Several KI researchers use the “Lego-like” technique in their daily research and one has co-authored a study with one of this year's prize winners.
Organocatalysis 2021: ”More eco-friendly chemical and drug manufacturing”
The 2021 Nobel Prize in Chemistry rewarded Benjamin List and David MacMillan for a new and ingenious tool for building molecules, asymmetric organocatalysis, which has contributed to more environmentally friendly chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturing. KI researcher Per I Arvidsson was one of those who introduced organocatalysis in Sweden and says that the prize was expected.
Genetic scissors 2020: “A tool used in laboratories worldwide”
The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences awarded the 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry to Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer A. Doudna for the development of a method for genome editing. Several KI researchers use the method in their own research. “It’s the best tool to study gene function at the molecular level,” says KI Professor Galina Selivanova who has met one of the laureates.