Roger Guillemin

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Roger Guillemin PEPTI DES I N T HE B R AI N. T HE NE W E N D O C RI N O- L O G Y OF T HE NE UR O N Nobel Lect ure, 8 Dece mber, 1977 b y R O G E R G U I L L E M I N Laboratories for Neuroendocrinology T h e S al k I nstit ut e, S a n Di e g o, C alif or ni a, U. S. A. P A R T I A. The Existe nce of Brai n Peptides Co ntrolli ng Ade nohypophvsial F u nctio ns. Isolatio n a nd Characterizatio n of T heir Pri m ar y M olec ul ar Str uct ures I n t he early 1950s base d o n t he a nato mical observatio ns a n d p hysiological ex peri mentation fro m several gro u ps in the US A an d E uro pe, it beca me ab u n da ntl y clear t hat t he e n docri ne secretio ns of t he a nterior lobe of t he hy po p hysis- well k no w n by t he n to co ntrol all t he f u nctio ns of all t he target e n docri ne gla n ds, (t hyroi d, go na ds, a dre nal cortex) pl us t he overall so matic gro wth of the in divi d ual- were so meho w entirely reg ulate d by so me integra- tive mechanis m locate d in ne uronal ele ments of the ventral hy pothala m us (revie w Harris, 1955). Beca use of t he pec uliar a nato my of t he j u nctio nal regio n bet wee n ve ntral hy pot hala m us (floor of t he 3r d ve ntricle) a n d t he pare nc h y mal tiss ue of t he a nteri or l o be of t he pit uitar y ( Fi g. 1), t he mechanis ms involved in this hypothala mic control of adenohypophysial f unctions were best ex plaine d by pro posing the existence of so me secretory pro d uct(s) by so me ( u nc haracterize d) ne uro nal ele me nts of t he ve ntral h y p o t h a l a m u s , t h e p r o d u c t s o f w h i c h w o u l d s o m e h o w r e a c h t h e a de no hy po p hysis by t he pec uliar ca pillary vessels observe d as if to joi n t he floor of t he hy pot hala m us to t he pit uitary gla n d. T hat co nce pt was defi nitely ascertai ne d i n si m ple ex peri me nts usi ng co mbi ne d tiss ue c ult ures of frag me nts of t he pit uitary gla n d a n d of t he ve ntral hy po- thala m us ( G uille min an d Rosenberg, 1955). The search for characterizing the hypothetical hypothala mic hypophysiotropic factors starte d then. Si mple reasoning an d early che mical confir mation le d to the hy pothesis that these u nk no w n s ubsta nces wo ul d be s mall pe pti des. After several years of pilot st u dies i nvolvi ng bot h biology a n d relatively si m ple c he mistry i n several laboratories i n t he US A, E uro pe a n d Ja pa n, it beca me clear t hat c haracterizi ng these hypothala mic hypophysiotropic substances woul d be a challenge of (originally) uns us pecte d pro portions. Entirely novel bioassays wo ul d have to be de vise d for ro uti ne testi n g of a lar ge n u m ber of fractio ns ge nerate d b y t he c he mical p urificatio n sc he mes; m or e s o b eri n g still w as t h e r e ali z ati o n i n t h e early 1960s that enor mo us a mo unts of hy pothala mic frag ments (fro m sla ughter ho use a ni mals) wo ul d have to be obtai ne d to have available a s ufficie nt q ua ntity of starti ng material to atte m pt a mea ni ngf ul progra m of c he mical isolatio n. T he early pilot st u dies ha d i n dee d s ho w n t he hy pot hala mic s ub- 3 6 4 P e pti d es i n t h e Br ai n. T h e N e w E n d o cri n ol o g y of t h e N e ur o n l b Fi g. 1 : a) Dia gra m matic re prese ntatio n of t he pit uitar y gla n d a n d t he i n ner vatio n of t he neurohypophysis by nerve fibers fro m the n.paraventricularis ( P V N) an d supra-opticus (S O N). b) Localize d lesions in the hy pothala m us pro d uce changes in the pit uitary secretion of the vario us a denohy po physial hor mones (increase or decrease c) Diagra m matic re presentation of the hy pothala mo-hy po physial portal syste m. d) Photo microgra ph of the hy pothala mo-hy po physial portal syste m after injection with an o paq ue dye. e) Diagra m- matic re prese ntatio n of t he hy po p hysiotro pic area. f) C ha nges i n pit uitary secretio n of various a dpnohypophysial hor mones (increase , or d e cr e as e ). sta nces to be extre mely pote nt a n d, o n t he basis of si m ple ass u m ptio ns, to be prese nt i n eac h hy pot hala mic frag me nt o nly i n a fe w na nogra m q ua ntities. Esse ntially o ne, t he n t wo gro u ps of i nvestigators a p proac he d t he proble m wit h e n o u g h c o nsta nc y a n d res ol uti o n t o sta y wit h it f or t he te n years t hat it t o o k t o pr o vi de t he first of its defi niti ve s ol uti o n, i.e. t he pri mar y str uct ure of o ne of t he hy pot hala mic hy po p hysiotro pic factors: My o w n gro u p, t he n at Baylor College of Me dici ne i n Ho usto n, Texas ( wit h a n e piso de at t he Collège de Fra nce i n Paris), or ga nize d t he collectio n o ver se veral years of more t ha n 5 millio n s hee p brai ns, ha n dli n g i n t h e laboratory more than 50 tons of hy pot hala mic frag me nts. Sc hally a n d his collaborators, no w i n t he T ula ne 3 6 6 Physiology or Medicine 1977 U ni versit y Sc hool of Me dici ne i n Ne w Orlea ns, after he ha d left m y laborator y at Baylor, collecte d also very large n u mbers of porci ne hy pot hala mic frag- me nts. Late i n 1968, fro m 300,000 s hee p hy pot hala mi, B urg us a n d I isolate d 1.0 mg of t he first of t hese hy pot hala mic hy po p hysiotro pic pe pti des, t he thyrotro pin releasing factor ( T RF), the molec ule by which. the hy pothala m us reg ulates t hro ug h t he pit uitary t he f u nctio ns of t he t hyroi d gla n d ( G uille mi n et al., 1 9 6 2). T he follo wi ng year, after more tec h nical diffic ulties were overco me, we establis he d t he pri mary str uct ure of ovi ne T RF by mass s pectro metry as t hat of the deceivingly si m ple tri pe pti de p Gl u- His- Pro- N H 2 . T he material of porci ne ori gi n was s ho w n b y Sc hall y a n d his collaborators to be i de ntical. T he s y nt h eti c r e pli c at e, r a pi dl y a v ail a bl e i n u nli mit e d q u a ntiti es, w as s h o w n t o b e hi g hl y pote nt i n all verte brate s pecies a n d partic ularl y i n ma n; it is no w wi d el y us e d t hr o u g h o ut t h e w orl d i n a hi g hl y s e nsiti v e t est of pit uit ar y f u n cti o n a n d a n earl y mea ns of detectio n of pit uitar y t u mors i n ma n.
Recommended publications
  • My Daily D.O.S.E. There Are Four Brain Chemicals That Are Responsible for Our Ultimate Happiness
    PRESENTED BY CREATIVE COPING TOOLKIT BULLYING PREVENTION My Daily D.O.S.E. There are four brain chemicals that are responsible for our ultimate happiness. Use this activity to learn what they are and how you can use them to get your daily D.O.S.E. of happiness! Group Leader Instructions Materials PRINT & DISTRIBUTE: Print a copy of the My Daily D.O.S.E. The Upstanders video clip worksheet for each member of the group and a single copy of (on CCT activity webpage) the My Daily D.O.S.E. answer sheet for your own reference. My Daily D.O.S.E. worksheet WATCH: Play the 1.5-minute video clip on the My Daily D.O.S.E. (included below) activity webpage. My Daily D.O.S.E. answer sheet REVIEW: As a group, go through the My Daily D.O.S.E. (included below) worksheet. Start with reviewing what D.O.S.E. stands for, then Writing utensil have each person test their knowledge with the matching game. Go through the correct answers together. BRAINSTORM & SHARE: Give the group some time to figure out their own Daily D.O.S.E. Then have everyone share! Individual Instructions WATCH 1 Play the 1.5-minute video clip on the My Daily D.O.S.E. activity webpage. WORKSHEET 2 Go through the My Daily D.O.S.E. worksheet. BRAINSTORM 3 Take some time to figure out your own Daily D.O.S.E. The goal is to use it to bring more joy into your day! PRESENTED BY CREATIVE COPING TOOLKIT BULLYING PREVENTION My Daily D.O.S.E.
    [Show full text]
  • From Opiate Pharmacology to Opioid Peptide Physiology
    Upsala J Med Sci 105: 1-16,2000 From Opiate Pharmacology to Opioid Peptide Physiology Lars Terenius Experimental Alcohol and Drug Addiction Section, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinsku Institutet, S-I71 76 Stockholm, Sweden ABSTRACT This is a personal account of how studies of the pharmacology of opiates led to the discovery of a family of endogenous opioid peptides, also called endorphins. The unique pharmacological activity profile of opiates has an endogenous counterpart in the enkephalins and j3-endorphin, peptides which also are powerful analgesics and euphorigenic agents. The enkephalins not only act on the classic morphine (p-) receptor but also on the 6-receptor, which often co-exists with preceptors and mediates pain relief. Other members of the opioid peptide family are the dynor- phins, acting on the K-receptor earlier defined as precipitating unpleasant central nervous system (CNS) side effects in screening for opiate activity, A related peptide, nociceptin is not an opioid and acts on the separate NOR-receptor. Both dynorphins and nociceptin have modulatory effects on several CNS functions, including memory acquisition, stress and movement. In conclusion, a natural product, morphine and a large number of synthetic organic molecules, useful as drugs, have been found to probe a previously unknown physiologic system. This is a unique develop- ment not only in the neuropeptide field, but in physiology in general. INTRODUCTION Historical background Opiates are indispensible drugs in the pharmacologic armamentarium. No other drug family can relieve intense, deep pain and reduce suffering. Morphine, the prototypic opiate is an alkaloid extracted from the capsules of opium poppy.
    [Show full text]
  • Nobel Prizes
    W W de Herder Heroes in endocrinology: 1–11 3:R94 Review Nobel Prizes Open Access Heroes in endocrinology: Nobel Prizes Correspondence Wouter W de Herder should be addressed to W W de Herder Section of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC, ’s Gravendijkwal 230, 3015 CE Rotterdam, Email The Netherlands [email protected] Abstract The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was first awarded in 1901. Since then, the Nobel Key Words Prizes in Physiology or Medicine, Chemistry and Physics have been awarded to at least 33 " diabetes distinguished researchers who were directly or indirectly involved in research into the field " pituitary of endocrinology. This paper reflects on the life histories, careers and achievements of 11 of " thyroid them: Frederick G Banting, Roger Guillemin, Philip S Hench, Bernardo A Houssay, Edward " adrenal C Kendall, E Theodor Kocher, John J R Macleod, Tadeus Reichstein, Andrew V Schally, Earl " neuroendocrinology W Sutherland, Jr and Rosalyn Yalow. All were eminent scientists, distinguished lecturers and winners of many prizes and awards. Endocrine Connections (2014) 3, R94–R104 Introduction Endocrine Connections Among all the prizes awarded for life achievements in In 1901, the first prize was awarded to the German medical research, the Nobel Prize in Physiology or physiologist Emil A von Behring (3, 4). This award heralded Medicine is considered the most prestigious. the first recognition of extraordinary advances in medicine The Swedish chemist and engineer, Alfred Bernhard that has become the legacy of Nobel’s prescient idea to Nobel (1833–1896), is well known as the inventor of recognise global excellence.
    [Show full text]
  • Identification of Β-Endorphins in the Pituitary Gland and Blood Plasma Of
    271 Identification of -endorphins in the pituitary gland and blood plasma of the common carp (Cyprinus carpio) E H van den Burg, J R Metz, R J Arends, B Devreese1, I Vandenberghe1, J Van Beeumen1, S E Wendelaar Bonga and G Flik Department of Animal Physiology, Faculty of Science, University of Nijmegen, Toernooiveld 1, 6525 ED Nijmegen, The Netherlands 1Laboratory of Protein Biochemistry and Protein Engineering, University of Gent, KL Ledeganckstraat 35, B9000 Gent, Belgium (Requests for offprints should be addressed to G Flik; Email: gertfl[email protected]) Abstract Carp -endorphin is posttranslationally modified by N-acetyl -endorphin(1–29) and these forms together N-terminal acetylation and C-terminal cleavage. These amounted to over 50% of total immunoreactivity. These processes determine the biological activity of the products were partially processed to N-acetyl - -endorphins. Forms of -endorphin were identified in endorphin(1–15) (30·8% of total immunoreactivity) and the pars intermedia and the pars distalis of the pituitary N-acetyl -endorphin(1–10) (3·1%) via two different gland of the common carp (Cyprinus carpio), as well as the cleavage pathways. The acetylated carp homologues of forms released in vitro and into the blood. After separation mammalian - and -endorphin were also found. and quantitation by high performance liquid chroma- N-acetyl -endorphin(1–15) and (1–29) and/or (1–33) tography (HPLC) coupled with radioimmunoassay, the were the major products to be released in vitro, and were -endorphin immunoreactive products were identified by the only acetylated -endorphins found in blood plasma, electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry and peptide although never together.
    [Show full text]
  • Balcomk41251.Pdf (558.9Kb)
    Copyright by Karen Suzanne Balcom 2005 The Dissertation Committee for Karen Suzanne Balcom Certifies that this is the approved version of the following dissertation: Discovery and Information Use Patterns of Nobel Laureates in Physiology or Medicine Committee: E. Glynn Harmon, Supervisor Julie Hallmark Billie Grace Herring James D. Legler Brooke E. Sheldon Discovery and Information Use Patterns of Nobel Laureates in Physiology or Medicine by Karen Suzanne Balcom, B.A., M.L.S. Dissertation Presented to the Faculty of the Graduate School of The University of Texas at Austin in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy The University of Texas at Austin August, 2005 Dedication I dedicate this dissertation to my first teachers: my father, George Sheldon Balcom, who passed away before this task was begun, and to my mother, Marian Dyer Balcom, who passed away before it was completed. I also dedicate it to my dissertation committee members: Drs. Billie Grace Herring, Brooke Sheldon, Julie Hallmark and to my supervisor, Dr. Glynn Harmon. They were all teachers, mentors, and friends who lifted me up when I was down. Acknowledgements I would first like to thank my committee: Julie Hallmark, Billie Grace Herring, Jim Legler, M.D., Brooke E. Sheldon, and Glynn Harmon for their encouragement, patience and support during the nine years that this investigation was a work in progress. I could not have had a better committee. They are my enduring friends and I hope I prove worthy of the faith they have always showed in me. I am grateful to Dr.
    [Show full text]
  • Nobel Prizes
    W W de Herder Heroes in endocrinology: 1–11 3:R94 Review Nobel Prizes Open Access Heroes in endocrinology: Nobel Prizes Correspondence Wouter W de Herder should be addressed to W W de Herder Section of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC, ’s Gravendijkwal 230, 3015 CE Rotterdam, Email The Netherlands [email protected] Abstract The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was first awarded in 1901. Since then, the Nobel Key Words Prizes in Physiology or Medicine, Chemistry and Physics have been awarded to at least 33 " diabetes distinguished researchers who were directly or indirectly involved in research into the field " pituitary of endocrinology. This paper reflects on the life histories, careers and achievements of 11 of " thyroid them: Frederick G Banting, Roger Guillemin, Philip S Hench, Bernardo A Houssay, Edward " adrenal C Kendall, E Theodor Kocher, John J R Macleod, Tadeus Reichstein, Andrew V Schally, Earl " neuroendocrinology W Sutherland, Jr and Rosalyn Yalow. All were eminent scientists, distinguished lecturers and winners of many prizes and awards. Endocrine Connections (2014) 3, R94–R104 Introduction Endocrine Connections Among all the prizes awarded for life achievements in In 1901, the first prize was awarded to the German medical research, the Nobel Prize in Physiology or physiologist Emil A von Behring (3, 4). This award heralded Medicine is considered the most prestigious. the first recognition of extraordinary advances in medicine The Swedish chemist and engineer, Alfred Bernhard that has become the legacy of Nobel’s prescient idea to Nobel (1833–1896), is well known as the inventor of recognise global excellence.
    [Show full text]
  • Beta Endorphin-Healing Potential
    Crimson Publishers Perspective Wings to the Research Beta Endorphin-Healing Potential Shrihari TG* Department of Oral medicine and Oral oncology, India Abstract Betaendorphin is an abundant endorphin, more potent than morphine. It has got analgesic, anti- ISSN: 2578-0093 inflammatory, immunestimulatory, and stress buster activity. Betaendorphin can be used in preventive, therapeutic, health promotive and palliative management of various diseases without adverse effects and inexpensive.Keywords: NF-KB; STAT-3; HPA-AXIS Beta-Endorphin and Its Mechanisms of Actions Beta-endorphin is an abundant endorphin, more potent than morphine, synthesized and stored in the anterior pituitary gland; it is a precursor of POMC (Proopiomelanocortin). Endorphins are produced during yoga, pranayama, intense physical exercise creates a therapy, dancing, singing, mindful meditation, sex, sympathy, empathy in caring the patient psychological relaxed state known as ‘Runner’s high’, Love, tender, care, acupuncture, music *Corresponding author: Department of Oral Medicine and Oral [1-4]. Beta-endorphin receptors are situated on the immune cells and nervous system. Beta- oncology, India Shrihari TG, endorphin binds with µ receptors situated on the peripheral nerves results in inhibition Submission: of substance P, a neurotransmitter of pain and inflammation. Beta-endorphin binds with µ Published: receptors situated on the central nervous system results in inhibition of GABA inhibitory July 29, 2020 neurotransmitter, produce dopamine neurotransmitter involved in analgesic activity, October 09, 2020 addiction. tranquility of mind (Stress buster activity), cognitive development, self-reward, euphoria, and HowVolume to 6cite - Issue this 2article: Shrihari TG. Beta In an inflammatory state, binding of beta-endorphin to the µ receptors situated on Endorphin-Healing Potential.
    [Show full text]
  • Research Organizations and Major Discoveries in Twentieth-Century Science: a Case Study of Excellence in Biomedical Research
    A Service of Leibniz-Informationszentrum econstor Wirtschaft Leibniz Information Centre Make Your Publications Visible. zbw for Economics Hollingsworth, Joseph Rogers Working Paper Research organizations and major discoveries in twentieth-century science: A case study of excellence in biomedical research WZB Discussion Paper, No. P 02-003 Provided in Cooperation with: WZB Berlin Social Science Center Suggested Citation: Hollingsworth, Joseph Rogers (2002) : Research organizations and major discoveries in twentieth-century science: A case study of excellence in biomedical research, WZB Discussion Paper, No. P 02-003, Wissenschaftszentrum Berlin für Sozialforschung (WZB), Berlin This Version is available at: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/50229 Standard-Nutzungsbedingungen: Terms of use: Die Dokumente auf EconStor dürfen zu eigenen wissenschaftlichen Documents in EconStor may be saved and copied for your Zwecken und zum Privatgebrauch gespeichert und kopiert werden. personal and scholarly purposes. Sie dürfen die Dokumente nicht für öffentliche oder kommerzielle You are not to copy documents for public or commercial Zwecke vervielfältigen, öffentlich ausstellen, öffentlich zugänglich purposes, to exhibit the documents publicly, to make them machen, vertreiben oder anderweitig nutzen. publicly available on the internet, or to distribute or otherwise use the documents in public. Sofern die Verfasser die Dokumente unter Open-Content-Lizenzen (insbesondere CC-Lizenzen) zur Verfügung gestellt haben sollten, If the documents have been made available under an Open gelten abweichend von diesen Nutzungsbedingungen die in der dort Content Licence (especially Creative Commons Licences), you genannten Lizenz gewährten Nutzungsrechte. may exercise further usage rights as specified in the indicated licence. www.econstor.eu P 02 – 003 RESEARCH ORGANIZATIONS AND MAJOR DISCOVERIES IN TWENTIETH-CENTURY SCIENCE: A CASE STUDY OF EXCELLENCE IN BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH J.
    [Show full text]
  • Endorphin in Feeding and Diet-Induced Obesity
    Neuropsychopharmacology (2015) 40, 2103–2112 © 2015 American College of Neuropsychopharmacology. All rights reserved 0893-133X/15 www.neuropsychopharmacology.org Involvement of Endogenous Enkephalins and β-Endorphin in Feeding and Diet-Induced Obesity ,1 1,2 1 1 Ian A Mendez* , Sean B Ostlund , Nigel T Maidment and Niall P Murphy 1 Hatos Center, Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of 2 California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Care, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA Studies implicate opioid transmission in hedonic and metabolic control of feeding, although roles for specific endogenous opioid peptides have barely been addressed. Here, we studied palatable liquid consumption in proenkephalin knockout (PENK KO) and β-endorphin- deficient (BEND KO) mice, and how the body weight of these mice changed during consumption of an energy-dense highly palatable ‘ ’ cafeteria diet . When given access to sucrose solution, PENK KOs exhibited fewer bouts of licking than wild types, even though the length of bouts was similar to that of wild types, a pattern that suggests diminished food motivation. Conversely, BEND KOs did not differ from wild types in the number of licking bouts, even though these bouts were shorter in length, suggesting that they experienced the sucrose as being less palatable. In addition, licking responses in BEND, but not PENK, KO mice were insensitive to shifts in sucrose concentration or hunger. PENK, but not BEND, KOs exhibited lower baseline body weights compared with wild types on chow diet and attenuated weight gain when fed cafeteria diet.
    [Show full text]
  • Francis Crick Personal Papers
    http://oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/kt1k40250c No online items Francis Crick Personal Papers Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego Copyright 2007, 2016 9500 Gilman Drive La Jolla 92093-0175 [email protected] URL: http://libraries.ucsd.edu/collections/sca/index.html Francis Crick Personal Papers MSS 0660 1 Descriptive Summary Languages: English Contributing Institution: Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego 9500 Gilman Drive La Jolla 92093-0175 Title: Francis Crick Personal Papers Creator: Crick, Francis Identifier/Call Number: MSS 0660 Physical Description: 14.6 Linear feet(32 archives boxes, 4 card file boxes, 2 oversize folders, 4 map case folders, and digital files) Physical Description: 2.04 Gigabytes Date (inclusive): 1935-2007 Abstract: Personal papers of British scientist and Nobel Prize winner Francis Harry Compton Crick, who co-discovered the helical structure of DNA with James D. Watson. The papers document Crick's family, social and personal life from 1938 until his death in 2004, and include letters from friends and professional colleagues, family members and organizations. The papers also contain photographs of Crick and his circle; notebooks and numerous appointment books (1946-2004); writings of Crick and others; film and television projects; miscellaneous certificates and awards; materials relating to his wife, Odile Crick; and collected memorabilia. Scope and Content of Collection Personal papers of Francis Crick, the British molecular biologist, biophysicist, neuroscientist, and Nobel Prize winner who co-discovered the helical structure of DNA with James D. Watson. The papers provide a glimpse of his social life and relationships with family, friends and colleagues.
    [Show full text]
  • The St. James's Palace Memorandum May 2009
    The St James’s Palace Nobel Laureate Symposium was convened by the University of Cambridge Programme for Sustainability Leadership (CPSL) The St. James’s Palace Memorandum in association with the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) under the Patronage of The Prince of Wales. It was hosted at St James’s Palace, the Royal Society and the Science Museum. May 2009 CPSL and PIK are grateful for the support of the Symposium hosts as well as its sponsors: Deloitte, Maersk Oil, The Prince’s Rainforests Project, Vattenfall and the Volkswagen Foundation; and for in-kind contributions from the InterContinental Hotel Group and Virgin Airways. The St James’s Palace Symposium built on the foundation of a first Nobel Laureate Symposium on Global Sustainability hosted by Chancellor Merkel in Potsdam, Germany, in October 2007. St James’s Palace Nobel Laureate Symposium Advisory Group Polly Courtice LVO, Prof Sir Richard Friend, Jonathon Porritt CBE, Prof Chris Rapley CBE, Lord Rees of Ludlow PRS OM, Prof Hans Joachim Schellnhuber CBE, Mike Peirce (Symposium Director) www.cpsl.cam.ac.uk www.pik-potsdam.de Printed onto Revive 100 uncoated paper. 100% recycled fibre. Printed using alcohol-free technology and vegetable-based inks. Designed and produced by Advantage Design Consultants +44 (0)20 7613 3933 | www.advantagelondon.com St. James’s Palace Nobel Laureate Symposium The Fierce Urgency of Now London 26-28 May 2009 Somehow, global decision- makers need to be persuaded that strong, committed and coordinated action is needed now, not in 10 years’ time or even in 5, otherwise we will have little left on which to base our economies.
    [Show full text]
  • Open Letter to the American People
    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 18, 2016 AN OPEN LETTER TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE The coming Presidential election will have profound consequences for the future of our country and the world. To preserve our freedoms, protect our constitutional government, safeguard our national security, and ensure that all members of our nation will be able to work together for a better future, it is imperative that Hillary Clinton be elected as the next President of the United States. Some of the most pressing problems that the new President will face — the devastating effects of debilitating diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and cancer, the need for alternative sources of energy, and climate change and its consequences — require vigorous support for science and technology and the assurance that scientific knowledge will inform public policy. Such support is essential to this country’s economic future, its health, its security, and its prestige. Strong advocacy for science agencies, initiatives to promote innovation, and sensible immigration and education policies are crucial to the continued preeminence of the U.S. scientific work force. We need a President who will support and advance policies that will enable science and technology to flourish in our country and to provide the basis of important policy decisions. For these reasons and others, we, as U.S. Nobel Laureates concerned about the future of our nation, strongly and fully support Hillary Clinton to be the President of the United States. Peter Agre, Chemistry 2003 Carol W. Greider, Medicine 2009 Sidney Altman, Chemistry 1989 David J. Gross, Physics 2004 Philip W. Anderson, Physics 1977 Roger Guillemin, Medicine 1977 Kenneth J.
    [Show full text]