China News Service, October 3 (Sweet) The annual Nobel Prize "Opening Week" officially kicked off.

On the afternoon of October 3, Beijing time, the 2022 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was announced, and scientist Svante Pääbo was awarded for his "discoveries in the genome of extinct ancient humans and human evolution".

　　Turning to the award book, which has lasted for a hundred years, it is not difficult to find that the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine not only records the diligent research of scientists in the fields of physiology and genetics, but also tells of the unremitting struggle of human beings against viruses.

It is precisely because of these persistence and breakthroughs that the "Lamp of Life" shines brightly.

Image source: Nobel Prize official website.

2022 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine announced

　　Who is Svante Pabo, the 2022 Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine?

　　According to the Nobel Prize website, geneticist Svante Pabo was born on April 20, 1955 in Stockholm, Sweden.

　　CNN reported that the Nobel committee said that Swedish geneticist Svante Pabo had "done the seemingly impossible" by conducting a study of the Neanderthal genome. Sequencing, "Discovery of Homo sapiens interbreeding with Neanderthals".

　　In 2010, Swante Pabo pioneered methods to extract, sequence and analyze ancient DNA from Neanderthal bones.

Thanks to his contributions, scientists were able to compare the Neanderthal genome with the genetic record of present-day humans, the report said.

The picture shows July 12, 2008, Edwards (left) and the world's first test-tube baby Louis (right) and her son and mother.

Have you heard of these Nobel Prize anecdotes?

　　The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was first awarded in 1901.

As of 2021, a total of 112 awards have been awarded, with a total of 224 awards, including 12 women.

　　Since the Nobel Prize goes through layers of screening every year, it is not easy to win the prize.

No one has won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine more than once.

The oldest winner, Peyton Rouse, was 87 when he won the award in 1996.

He was awarded for his discovery of the role that viruses play in certain cancers.

　　In addition, some research results still need to be verified by peers and time, which often takes decades.

In the process, some scientists may have died before the Nobel Prize "favor".

　　The 2011 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine is hard to hide a few regrets.

Because the winner Ralph Steinman happened to pass away 3 days before the winner list was announced.

Steinman has long suffered from pancreatic cancer and has used dendritic cell-based immunotherapy to extend his own lifespan.

　　Generally, Nobel Prizes are not awarded to deceased persons.

But the Nobel Foundation's board of directors, after reviewing the relevant regulations, concluded that Steinman was not aware of Steinman's death when the winner was announced, and decided to retain his eligibility for the award.

　　Edwards, the "father of test-tube babies", also had a long waiting time.

In 1978, the world's first test-tube baby, Louise Brown, was born in Oldham Hospital, England, achieving a major breakthrough in the field of human embryology research, but also causing huge controversy.

　　It was not until 2010 that the 85-year-old Edwards finally waited for the Nobel Prize to be affirmed.

But his partner Steptoe died as early as 1988 and missed the honor.

On December 10, 2015, local time, in Stockholm, Sweden, the Nobel Prize award ceremony was held.

Tu Youyou, winner of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, accepted the award.

Their research lights up the "lamp of life"

　　Can cancer be cured?

Can hepatitis be eliminated?

How can malaria deaths be reduced?

...

　　As the Nobel Prize, which is closely related to human life and health, looking back at the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine over the years, the above questions can be more or less answered.

　　Such as health "killer" cancer, which kills millions of people every year.

But fortunately, American immunologist James Allison and Japanese immunologist Hon Shusuke discovered the negative immunomodulatory therapy for cancer, bringing new hope to cancer patients.

They also won the Nobel Prize in 2018.

　　The jury said the two scientists had "released" the body's anti-cancer "brakes", allowing the immune system to fight cancer cells with all their might, "now revolutionizing cancer therapy".

　　Hepatitis is also a serious challenge facing mankind.

In 2020, three "virus hunters" - American scientists Harvey Alter, Charles Rice, and British scientist Michael Horton jointly won the award.

Its findings are said to "accelerate the development of anti-hepatitis C virus drugs and cure hepatitis C for the first time in human history, bringing hope for the eradication of this chronic hepatitis in the world's population".

　　In another "competition", Chinese scientist Tu Youyou won the Nobel Prize in 2015 for "proposing the therapy of artemisinin and dihydroartemisinin through the combination of traditional Chinese medicine and western medicine".

People no longer "talk about malaria".

According to incomplete statistics from WHO, artemisinin, as a first-line antimalarial drug, has saved millions of lives around the world over the past few years.

　　However, in Tu Youyou's view, the research on artemisinin is far from over.

"My hope is to the younger generation to surpass us and create a better tomorrow for humanity."