| 1 | Name: | Sir John Bertrand Gurdon | |
| Institution: | Wellcome & University of Cambridge & Magdalene College, Cambridge | ||
| Year Elected: | 1983 | ||
| Class: | 2. Biological Sciences | ||
| Subdivision: | 202. Cellular and Developmental Biology | ||
| Residency: | International | ||
| Living? : | Living | ||
| Birth Date: | 1933 | ||
Professor Sir John Gurdon, FRS was educated at Eton College, where he did Classics, having been advised that he was unsuited for science. Accepted at Christ Church, Oxford on Classics entrance, but switched to Zoology (Head of Department Sir Alister Hardy) for his undergraduate course. His PhD was with Michael Fischberg, on nuclear transplantation in Xenopus. Obtained the first clone of genetically identical adult animals. Demonstrated genetic totipotency of somatic cell nuclei by obtaining sexually mature frogs from the nuclei of intestinal epithelium. Did postdoctoral work at CalTech, on bacteriophage genetics. Returned to Oxford as assistant lecturer in Zoology Department in 1962. Took six-month sabbatical leave in 1965 to work with Donald Brown at the Carnegie Institution of Washington, Baltimore. In 1971, moved to MRC Molecular Biology Laboratory in Cambridge under the Chairmanship of Max Perutz, subsequently becoming Head of Cell Biology Division. In 1983, accepted John Humphrey Plummer Professorship of Cell Biology, vacated by Sir Alan Hodgkin, in University of Cambridge, in Zoology Department (Head of Department Prof Gabriel Horn). Initiated, with Prof R. Laskey, Cancer Research Campaign unit of Molecular Embryology in Zoology Department Cambridge. In 1990 moved to new Wellcome CRC Institute of Cancer and Development Biology in Cambridge. Served, 1990-2001, as Chairman of this Institute, which now accommodates 17 independent groups and a total of about 200 persons. Master of Magdalene College in Cambridge from 1995 to 2002 and from 1995 to 2000 served as Governor (Trustee) of the Wellcome Trust. Main directions in research have been: (I) nuclear transplantation and the reprogramming of somatic nuclei; (II) the use of Xenopus eggs and oocytes for mRNA microinjection, and hence gene overexpression; (III) analysis of signaling in normal development, and the use of signaling factors for the redirection of cell differentiation. Has received various recognitions for his work, including the Lasker Award in 2009 and the Nobel Prize in 2012. Interests: skiing, tennis, horticulture, Lepidoptera. | |||