Lasker Award 2009: Winners

Recipients

1. Albert Lasker Basic Medical Research Award

   John B. Gurdon, Shinya Yamanaka

   Biology

   For discoveries concerning nuclear reprogramming, the process that instructs specialized adult cells to form early stem cells — creating the potential to become any type of mature cell for experimental or therapeutic purposes.

2. Lasker–Bloomberg Public Service Award

   Michael Bloomberg

   Biology

   For employing sound science in political decision making; setting a world standard for the public’s health as an impetus for government action; leading the way to reduce the scourge of tobacco use; and advancing public health through enlightened philanthropy.

3. Lasker–DeBakey Clinical Medical Research Award

   Brian Druker, Charles Sawyers, Nicholas Lydon

   Biology

   For the development of molecularly-targeted treatments for chronic myeloid leukemia, converting a fatal cancer into a manageable chronic condition.