Lasker Award for Albert Lasker Basic Medical Research Award: Winners by Year

Award years

• 2025

  • Dirk Görlich, Steven L. McKnight

    For discoveries that exposed the structures and functions of low-complexity domains within protein sequences, revealing new principles of intracellular transport and cellular organization

• 2024

  • Zhijian Chen

    For the discovery of the cGAS enzyme that senses foreign and self DNA, solving the mystery of how DNA stimulates immune and inflammatory responses

• 2023

  • Demis Hassabis, John M. Jumper

    For the invention of AlphaFold, a revolutionary technology for predicting the three-dimensional structure of proteins

• 2022

  • Erkki Ruoslahti, Richard O. Hynes, Timothy A. Springer

    For discoveries concerning the integrins—key mediators of cell-matrix and cell-cell adhesion in physiology and disease

• 2021

  • Dieter Oesterhelt, Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann

    For the discovery of light-sensitive microbial proteins that can activate or silence individual brain cells and for their use in developing optogenetics—a revolutionary technique for neuroscience

• 2019

  • Jacques Miller, Max Dale Cooper

    For their discovery of the two distinct classes of lymphocytes, B and T cells – a monumental achievement that provided the organizing principle of the adaptive immune system and launched the course of modern immunology

• 2018

  • C. David Allis, Michael Grunstein

    For discoveries elucidating how gene expression is influenced by chemical modification of histones—the proteins that package DNA within chromosomes.

• 2017

  • Michael N. Hall

    For discoveries concerning the nutrient-activated TOR proteins and their central role in the metabolic control of cell growth

• 2016

  • Gregg L. Semenza, Peter J. Ratcliffe, William G. Kaelin

    For the discovery of the pathway by which cells from humans and most animals sense and adapt to changes in oxygen availability – a process essential for survival.

• 2015

  • Evelyn M. Witkin, Stephen Elledge

    For discoveries concerning the DNA-damage response—a fundamental mechanism that protects the genomes of all living organisms.

• 2014

  • Kazutoshi Mori, Peter Walter

    For discoveries concerning the unfolded protein response — an intracellular quality-control system that detects harmful misfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum and signals the nucleus to carry out corrective measures.

• 2013

  • Richard H. Scheller, Thomas C. Südhof

    For discoveries concerning the molecular machinery and regulatory mechanism that underlie the rapid release of neurotransmitters.

• 2012

  • James Spudich, Michael Sheetz, Ronald Vale

    For discoveries concerning cytoskeletal motor proteins, machines that move cargoes within cells, contract muscles, and enable cell movements.

• 2011

  • Arthur L. Horwich, Franz-Ulrich Hartl

    For discoveries concerning the cell’s protein-folding machinery, exemplified by cage-like structures that convert newly made proteins into their biologically active forms.

• 2010

  • Douglas L. Coleman, Jeffrey M. Friedman

    For the discovery of leptin, a hormone that regulates appetite and body weight — a breakthrough that opened obesity research to molecular exploration.

• 2009

  • John B. Gurdon, Shinya Yamanaka

    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.

• 2008

  • David Baulcombe, Gary Ruvkun, Victor Ambros

    For discoveries that revealed an unanticipated world of tiny RNAs that regulate gene function in plants and animals.

• 2007

  • Ralph M. Steinman

    For the discovery of dendritic cells — the preeminent component of the immune system that initiates and regulates the body’s response to foreign antigens.

• 2006

  • Carol W. Greider, Elizabeth H. Blackburn, Jack W. Szostak

    For the prediction and discovery of telomerase, a remarkable RNA-containing enzyme that synthesizes the ends of chromosomes, protecting them and maintaining the integrity of the genome.

• 2005

  • Ernest McCulloch, James Till

    For ingenious experiments that first identified a stem cell — the blood-forming stem cell — which set the stage for all current research on adult and embryonic stem cells.

• 2004

  • Elwood V. Jensen, Pierre Chambon, Ronald M. Evans

    For the discovery of the superfamily of nuclear hormone receptors and elucidation of a unifying mechanism that regulates embryonic development and diverse metabolic pathways.

• 2003

  • Robert G. Roeder

    For pioneering studies on eukaryotic RNA polymerases and the general transcriptional machinery, which opened gene expression in animal cells to biochemical analysis.

• 2002

  • James E. Rothman, Randy W. Schekman

    For discoveries revealing the universal molecular machinery that orchestrates the budding and fusion of membrane vesicles — a process essential to organelle formation, nutrient uptake, and secretion of hormones and neurotransmitters.

• 2001

  • Mario R. Capecchi, Martin J. Evans, Oliver Smithies

    For the development of a powerful technology for manipulating the mouse genome with exquisite precision, which allows the creation of animal models of human disease.

• 2000

  • Aaron Ciechanover, Alexander Varshavsky, Avram Hershko

    For the discovery and recognition of the broad significance of the ubiquitin system of regulated protein degradation, a fundamental process that influences vital cellular events, including the cell cycle, malignant transformation, and responses to inflammation and immunity.

• 1999

  • Bertil Hille, Clay Armstrong, Roderick MacKinnon

    For elucidating the functional and structural architecture of ion channel proteins, which govern the electrical potential of membranes throughout nature, thereby generating nerve impulses, and controlling muscle contraction, cardiac rhythm, and hormone secretion.

• 1998

  • Leland H. Hartwell, Paul M. Nurse, Yoshio Masui

    For pioneering genetic and molecular studies that revealed the universal machinery for regulating cell division in all eukaryotic organisms, from yeasts to frogs to humans.

• 1997

  • Mark Ptashne

    For elegant and incisive discoveries leading to the understanding of how regulatory proteins control the transcription of genes.

• 1996

  • Ferid Murad, Robert F. Furchgott

    For discoveries concerning the endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF), now known to be nitric oxide, a signaling molecule in the cardiovascular system. For the ingenious elucidation of the cyclic GMP signaling pathway of nitric oxide and for essential discoveries that led to establishing the link between endothelium-derived relaxing factor and nitric oxide.

• 1995

  • Don C. Wiley, Emil R. Unanue, Jack L. Strominger, Peter C. Doherty, Rolf M. Zinkernagel

    For the discovery of the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) restriction of T-cell recognition.

• 1994

  • Stanley B. Prusiner

    For the discovery of prions, a new class of infectious agents—opening the way to understanding baffling neurodegenerative diseases.

• 1993

  • Günter Blobel

    For landmark discoveries concerning the processes by which intercellular proteins are targeted across cell membranes.

• 1991

  • Christiane Nüsslein-Volhard, Edward B. Lewis

    For fundamental research on the Bithorax Complex, which established the role of homeotic genes in the development of cell patterns and provided a foundation for current studies of embryonic development.

• 1989

  • Alfred G. Gilman, Edwin G. Krebs, Michael Berridge, Yasutomi Nishizuka

    For research revealing how IP3 governs the intracellular level of calcium and orchestrates the major activities of the cell.

• 1988

  • Phillip A. Sharp

    For revelations regarding the ability of RNA processing to convert DNA’s massive store of genetic data to biological use.

  • Thomas R. Cech

    For revolutionary research revealing the enzymatic role of RNA, opening a new universe in molecular biology.

• 1987

  • Leroy Hood, Philip Leder, Susumu Tonegawa

    For imaginative studies of somatic recombinations in the immune system, detailing in molecular terms the genetics of antibody diversity.

• 1986

  • Rita Levi-Montalcini

    For the original concept that cell growth is governed by protein molecules, and for the discovery of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF).

  • Stanley Cohen

    For discovering and biochemically defining Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF), which illuminated the dynamics of cell growth.

• 1985

  • Joseph L. Goldstein, Michael S. Brown

    For the discovery of the basic mechanisms controlling cholesterol metabolism, opening the way to a new pharmacologic approach to the treatment of coronary heart disease, the leading cause of death in the Western world

• 1984

  • César Milstein, Georges J. F. Köhler, Michael Potter

    For fundamental research into the genetics of immunoglobulin molecules, paving the way for the development of hybridomas.

• 1983

  • Eric R. Kandel, Vernon B. Mountcastle

    For the application of cell biology techniques to the study of behavior, revealing mechanisms underlying learning and memory.

• 1982

  • Harold E. Varmus, Hidesaburo Hanafusa, J. Michael Bishop, Raymond L. Erikson, Robert C. Gallo

    For the discovery that oncogenes are present in normal cells.

• 1981

  • Barbara McClintock

    For the discovery that certain genetic elements are not static, but can move from one location to another on DNA.

• 1980

  • A. Dale Kaiser, Herbert W. Boyer, Paul Berg, Stanley N. Cohen

    For historic achievements that made recombinant DNA a brilliant reality, and inaugurated a new age of biomedical promise.

• 1979

  • Frederick Sanger, Walter Gilbert

    For the development of new techniques for the rapid sequencing of DNA.

  • Roger Wolcott Sperry

    For contributions to the knowledge of brain function, and the understanding of mental and psychosomatic diseases.

• 1978

  • Hans W. Kosterlitz, John Hughes, Solomon H. Snyder

    For identifying the relation of the opiate receptors to the naturally occurring enkephalins.

• 1977

  • Bengt I. Samuelsson, John R. Vane, Karl Sune Bergström

    For isolating and elucidating prostaglandins.

• 1976

  • Rosalyn Sussman Yalow

    For the development of the technique of radioimmunoassay.

• 1975

  • Andrew V. Schally, Roger Guillemin

    For expanding our knowledge of the interplay between the hypothalamus and the endocrine system.

  • Frank J. Dixon, Henry G. Kunkel

    For contributions to the creation of a new medical discipline, immunopathology.

• 1974

  • Howard E. Skipper, Ludwik Gross

    For contributions that laid the foundations for the chemotherapy of cancer.

  • Howard Martin Temin

    For contributions to the biology of RNA-containing cancer viruses and elucidation of the mode of action of viral genes.

  • Sol Spiegelman

    For contributions to molecular biology including techniques of molecular hybridization and the first synthesis of an infectious nucleic acid.

• 1971

  • Charles Yanofsky, Seymour Benzer, Sydney Brenner

    For their brilliant contributions to molecular genetics.

• 1970

  • Earl Wilbur Sutherland

    For the discovery of cyclic AMP and elucidation of this key chemical mechanism that regulates hormonal action.

• 1969

  • Robert Bruce Merrifield

    For a new concept and a new method for the synthesis of polypeptides and proteins.

• 1968

  • Har Gobind Khorana, Marshall W. Nirenberg

    For deciphering the genetic code.

  • William F. Windle

    For basic discoveries in the field of developmental biology.

• 1967

  • Bernard B. Brodie

    For extraordinary contributions to biochemical pharmacology.

• 1966

  • George E. Palade

    For contributions to the electron microscopy of biological materials.

• 1965

  • Robert W. Holley

    For determining the chemical structure of an amino acid transfer RNA.

• 1964

  • Harry Rubin, Renato Dulbecco

    For fundamental contributions to our knowledge of the relationship between cancer and cancer-producing DNA and RNA viruses.

• 1963

  • Lyman C. Craig

    For the countercurrent distribution technique as a method for the separation of biologically significant compounds, and for the isolation and structure studies of important antibiotics.

• 1962

  • Choh H. Li

    For the identification and isolation of six hormones of the anterior pituitary gland.

• 1960

  • Ernst Ruska, James Hillier

    For the design, construction, development, and perfection of the electron microscope.

  • Francis Harry Compton Crick, James Dewey Watson, Maurice Hugh Frederick Wilkins

    For revealing the structure of the DNA molecule.

  • James V. Neel, L.S. Penrose

    For laying the foundation for research in human genetics; and, specifically, to Dr. Neel for his work on thalassemia and sickle cell anemia.

• 1959

  • Albert Coons

    For the development of the fluorescent method of labelling proteins, a significant tool for the study of infection in human beings.

  • Jules Freund

    For the development of immunization procedures against diseases such as tuberculosis, rabies, and poliomyelitis.

• 1958

  • Alfred D. Hershey, Gerhard Schramm, Heinz Fraenkel-Conrat

    For the discovery of the fundamental role of nucleic acid in the reproduction of viruses and in the transmission of inherited characteristics.

  • Irvine H. Page

    For contributions concerning the basic mechanisms of hypertension.

  • Peyton Rous

    For contributions concerning the causes of cancers, the source of antibodies, and the mechanism of blood cell generation and destruction in human beings.

  • Theodore Puck

    For development of original methods for pure culture of living mammalian cells as a basis for new research in their nutrition, growth, genetics, and mutation.

• 1957

  • Isaac Starr

    For contributions to knowledge of the heart and the circulation, and for the development of the first practical ballistocardiograph.

• 1956

  • Francis O. Schmitt, Karl Meyer

    For pioneering studies of the biochemical components of connective tissues, contributing to new understanding of arthritis and rheumatic diseases.

• 1955

  • Carl J. Wiggers

    For contributions to the understanding of cardiovascular physiology.

  • Karl Paul Link

    For fundamental contributions to our understanding of the mechanism of blood clotting and for the development of methods for the improved treatment of thromboembolic conditions.

• 1954

  • Albert von Szent-Györgyi Nagyrápolt

    For the discovery of actomyosin, the essential contractible element of muscle.

  • Edwin B. Astwood

    For contributions leading to the control of hyperthyroidism.

  • John Franklin Enders

    For the cultivation of the viruses of poliomyelitis, mumps, and measles.

• 1953

  • George Wald

    For achievements in explaining the physiology of vision in man.

  • Hans Adolf Krebs

    For the discovery of the urea and citric acid cycles, which are basic to our understanding of how the body converts food into energy.

  • Michael Heidelberger

    For the development of immunochemistry.

• 1952

  • Frank Macfarlane Burnet

    For fundamentally modifying our knowledge of viruses and the inheritance of characteristics by viruses.

• 1951

  • Karl Friedrich Meyer

    For bacteriological research in parasitology.

• 1950

  • George Wells Beadle

    For contributions to the understanding of the genetic control of metabolic processes.

• 1949

  • André Frédéric Cournand

    For contributions to the physiology of circulation and the diagnosis and treatment of heart disease.

  • L. Royal Christensen, William S. Tillett

    For the discovery and purification of the enzymes, streptokinase and streptodornase.

• 1948

  • René J. Dubos, Selman Abraham Waksman

    For studies of the antibiotic properties of soil bacteria leading to the discovery of streptomycin.

  • Vincent du Vigneaud

    For studies of transmethylation as essential to animal nutrition, and for contributions to the structure and synthesis of biotin and penicillin.

• 1947

  • Homer Smith

    For distinguished research on cardiovascular and renal physiology.

  • Oswald T. Avery

    For studies on the chemical constitution of bacteria.

• 1946

  • Carl Ferdinand Cori

    For contributions to the knowledge of carbohydrate metabolism, which clarify the action of insulin in diabetes.