Japan's latest Nobel laureates in StockholmーNHK WORLD-JAPAN NEWS

Key Concepts

• Nobel Prize Ceremony: Annual event honoring achievements in various fields.
• Regulatory T cells (T-regs): Immune cells crucial for immune system regulation.
• Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs): Porous materials with diverse applications.
• Basic Research: Fundamental scientific investigation without immediate practical application.
• Manga: Japanese comic books.
• Autoimmune Diseases: Conditions where the immune system attacks the body's own tissues.
• Allergies: Hypersensitive immune responses to harmless substances.
• Immunopathological Diseases: Diseases caused by abnormal immune responses.
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Chronic inflammation of the digestive tract.
• Organ Transplantation: Surgical procedure to replace a diseased organ with a healthy one.

Nobel Laureates in Stockholm

The newest Nobel laureates are in Stockholm for the upcoming Nobel Prize ceremonies. Among them are two Japanese scientists:

• Sakaguchi Shimon: Honorary Professor at the University of Osaka, awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.
• Kitagawa Suzumu: Executive Vice President and Distinguished Professor at Kyoto University, awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

Both laureates participated in a tradition at the Nobel Museum, signing chairs in the cafe.

Sakaguchi Shimon's Nobel Prize and Contributions

• Prize Category: Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.
• Shared Award: With two American scientists.
• Discovery: Regulatory T cells (also known as T-regs).
• Potential Applications of T-regs:
  • Treatment of autoimmune diseases.
  • Treatment of allergies.
  • Treatment of immunopathological diseases, including Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).
  • Improving outcomes in organ transplantation.
• Official Nobel Lecture: Delivered on Sunday to over 1,000 people, discussing the potential uses of T-regs.
• Advocacy: Emphasized the importance of supporting basic sciences and fostering interaction between the government, scientists, and young people to engage children in science.
• Museum Donation: Donated copies of a manga featuring regulatory T cells to the Nobel Museum.

Kitagawa Suzumu's Nobel Prize and Contributions

• Prize Category: Nobel Prize in Chemistry.
• Shared Award: With two researchers from Australia and the United States.
• Development: Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs).
• Argument for Basic Research Funding: Stressed the need for increased funding for basic research, noting that the transfer of fundamental discoveries to practical applications can take approximately 25 years. He advocates for long-term funding for fundamental research.
• School Visit: Visited a school attended by Japanese elementary and junior high students on Saturday, giving a short lecture and advising students to pursue subjects they enjoy.

Stockholm Ahead of the Ceremony

• Atmosphere: Stockholm is described as being in "Nobel Mood."
• Venue: The Nobel Prize banquet will be held at the famous red brick City Hall.
• Menu Secrecy: The menu for the banquet is being kept confidential, with the head chef offering only a hint of "mushroom."

Schedule of Events for Japanese Laureates

• Arrival: Both laureates arrived in Stockholm over the weekend.
• Sakaguchi's Lecture: Delivered his official Nobel lecture on Sunday.
• Kitagawa's Lecture: Delivering his Nobel lecture at Stockholm University at the time of the report.
• Japanese Embassy Reception: Both laureates will attend a reception hosted by the Japanese embassy on Tuesday.
• Award Ceremony: On Wednesday, they will receive their medals and diplomas from the King of Sweden.

Synthesis/Conclusion

The Nobel Prize ceremonies in Stockholm are a significant event, celebrating groundbreaking scientific achievements. This year, Japanese laureates Sakaguchi Shimon and Kitagawa Suzumu are being honored for their pivotal work in regulatory T cells and metal-organic frameworks, respectively. Their contributions highlight the potential of basic scientific research to address complex medical challenges and create new materials. Both laureates have also emphasized the critical need for sustained funding for basic research and for inspiring the next generation of scientists. The city of Stockholm is abuzz with anticipation for the week of ceremonies and celebrations.