For their pioneering work that has expanded our understanding of how hedgehog genes and their protein signals guide the formation of the brain, limbs, spinal cord, axial skeleton and other organs during embryonic and fetal development. For example, these signals are involved in why the heart is located on the left and not the right side of the body; why we have two eyes and nostrils instead of one; why the thumb is different from the little finger; and why different types of neurons form in specific locations within the spinal cord. Dr. Beachy and Dr. Tabin’s work has become a model for how communication between cells directs the course of animal development.
2007 -- Anne McLaren and Janet Rossant
For their remarkable contributions to our understanding of the entire cycle of mammalian reproduction and development, using the mouse as a model system. In 1958, Prof. McLaren co-authored a landmark article published in Nature demonstrating the first success in growing a mouse embryo in a test tube, and then in transplanting it back into the mouse to be born “naturally.” This scientific breakthrough eventually led to the human in vitro fertilization used today. Prof. Rossant has pioneered numerous techniques for following cell fate and altering genes in mouse embryos, and has produced new mouse models of human diseases that allow scientists to better study human birth defects and many other disorders.
2006 -- Alexander Varshavsky, Ph.D.
For discovering and characterizing the significance of the ubiquitin system and its role in DNA repair, protein synthesis, transcriptional regulation, and responses to stress. Ubiquitin (from the Latin ubique meaning "everywhere," the source of the word "ubiquitous") is so named because it is essential to nearly every major activity in the life cycle of cells. Ubiquitin's role was unknown until the 1980s, when Dr. Varshavsky and colleagues elucidated it. This discovery revolutionized our understanding of the logic of molecular circuits in human cells, and ubiquitin quickly became one of the major areas of study in genetics, developmental biology, cell biology, and biochemistry. Today ubiquitin has implications for medical research into the causes and treatments of birth defects, neurodegenerative diseases, infections, and cancer.
2005 -- Mario R. Capecchi and Oliver Smithies
For developing gene targeting -- the ability to alter particular genes in cultured cells and transfer the targeted genes to laboratory mice. Gene-targeted mice are used to reproduce diseases that occur in humans, enabling scientists to address the most complex and critical health problems, including the causes and treatment of birth defects and many other disorders.
Note: In 2007, Dr. Capecchi and Dr. Smithies shared the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with Sir Martin J. Evans (1999 March of Dimes Prize co-recipient).
2004 -- Mary F. Lyon
For discovery of X-chromosome inactivation. This was one of the first great insights into genetic control mechanisms in the 20th century and was key to understanding the nature of X-linked birth defects, such as hemophilia, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and fragile X syndrome, as well as certain types of cancer.
2003 -- Pierre Chambon and Ronald M. Evans
For discovering nuclear hormone receptors and characterizing their structure and function. Their pioneering work laid the foundation for our understanding of the roles of nuclear hormone receptors in metabolic diseases and treatment, and opened up productive new areas in endocrinology and physiology.
2002 -- Seymour Benzer and Sydney Brenner
For their tremendously influential bodies of work that have helped to revolutionize and open up productive new fields of study in molecular biology and genetics. Dr. Benzer's research revealed basic genetic mechanisms regulating the early steps of eye formation, circadian rhythm, and the first known genes that control behavior, memory, and learning. Dr. Brenner's pioneering work with the worm Caenorhabditis elegans established it as a powerful model system that made it possible to learn how genes control development, including programmed cell death and the assembly of cells into complex structures.
Note: In 2002, Dr. Brenner shared the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with Dr. H. Robert Horvitz (2000 March of Dimes Prize recipient).
2001 -- Corey S. Goodman and Thomas M. Jessell
For research that helped revolutionize understanding of central nervous system development and function at the molecular level, including key discoveries that elucidated origins of severe birth defects of the brain and spinal cord.
2000 -- H. Robert Horvitz
For his discovery that certain genes control the process known as apoptosis -- the orderly death of cells that are harmful or simply not needed by the body.
Note: In 2002, Dr. Horvitz shared the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with Dr. Sydney Brenner (2002 March of Dimes Prize co-recipient).
1999 -- Sir Martin J. Evans and Sir Richard L. Gardner
For pioneering techniques to identify and grow the embryonic stem cells of mice in vitro and to introduce specific mutations into these cells.
Note: In 2007, Sir Martin J. Evans shared the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with Dr. Mario Capecchi and Dr. Oliver Smithies (2005 March of Dimes Prize co-recipients).
1998 -- Davor Solter
For pioneering the concept of genomic imprinting.
1997 -- Walter J. Gehring and David S. Hogness
For their respective studies of homeobox genes in Drosophila.
1996 -- Beatrice Mintz and Ralph L. Brinster
For their respective studies that culminated in the development of transgenic mice.
