The 2024 Lasker Awards, announced on Sept 19, recognized Zhijian James Chen for his groundbreaking discovery of the cGAS enzyme, which detects foreign and self DNA. With original thinking and tour-de-force experimentation, he unlocked the mystery of how DNA stimulates immune and inflammatory responses.
The cGAS enzyme is a pivotal component in the primary defense mechanism mammals employ against microbial threats, while also playing a crucial role in enhancing antitumor immune responses.
In certain physiological contexts, dysregulated cGAS activity can lead to autoimmune and inflammatory disorders. The enzyme itself represents a significant pharmaceutical target for treating a range of human diseases, and the signaling molecule it produces shows promise in the fight against infectious diseases and cancer.
Established in 1946, the Lasker Award is one of the most esteemed honors in the medical field, often considered second in prestige only to the Nobel Prize. It acknowledges scientists, physicians, and public servants who have made exceptional contributions to medical research and public health. The award has a notable track record as a predictor of Nobel Prize winners, with 86 Lasker laureates having gone on to receive the Nobel Prize.
In addition to the Lasker Award, Chen was also the recipient of the Shizhang Bei International Award from the Biophysical Society of China in 2020, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to biophysics.
The Shizhang Bei International Award was inaugurated in 2013 to honor internationally acclaimed scientists who have made significant contributions to biophysics and have positively impacted the advancement of biophysical studies in China.
Source: The official website of the BSC
