Zhijian Chen

Awards

1. 2019

   Breakthrough Prize — Life Sciences

   Biology

   for elucidating how DNA triggers immune and autoimmune responses from the interior of a cell through the discovery of the DNA-sensing enzyme cGAS.

2. 2024

   Lasker Award — Albert Lasker Basic Medical Research Award

   Biology

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

3. 2026

   Japan Prize — Life Sciences

   Biology

   for their discovery of the nucleic acid sensing mechanism by the innate immune system.