Stanford Neuroscientist Karl Deisseroth Receives Japan’s Kyoto Prize in Advanced Technology
November 18 2018 - 12:21AM
Business Wire
Revolutionary discoveries bring award of 100
million yen (about US$880,000)
The Inamori Foundation today announced that it has presented its
34th annual Kyoto Prize in Advanced Technology to Dr. Karl
Deisseroth, M.D., Ph.D., a Stanford University neuroscientist and
Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator, during a Sat., Nov.
10 ceremony here.
Deisseroth led the discovery of “optogenetics,” a new
methodological discipline in which cellular activity is controlled
by light. In the process, he developed a novel and universal
technique to manipulate brain activity at the neural circuit level,
revolutionizing the field of systems neuroscience and impacting
more than a thousand research laboratories operating worldwide.
“As a result of this work, we know now which cells and
connections across the brain actually control key behaviors of
pleasure, reward, social interaction, and motivation to meet
challenges — as well as, on the negative side, symptoms of anxiety,
depression and fear,” Deisseroth stated. “This optogenetic
technology has taken hold throughout neuroscience and now enables
us to test precise cellular basis for behavior by controlling the
brain’s circuitry.”
Deisseroth, 46, is a recipient of many previous distinctions,
including the Canada Gairdner International Award, Else Kr�ner
Fresenius Prize, and Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences, among
others. His data reinforce the hypothesis that the pathological
basis of various neurodegenerative diseases and psychiatric
disorders lies in the malfunction of neural circuit activity.
The Kyoto Prize is Japan’s highest private award for global
achievement, consisting of academic honors, a 20-karat gold medal,
and a cash gift of 100 million yen (about US$880,000). Established
by Dr. Kazuo Inamori in 1984, the Kyoto Prize has been presented to
108 individuals and one group (the Nobel Foundation) — collectively
representing 17 nations. Individual laureates range from
scientists, engineers and researchers to philosophers, painters,
architects, sculptors, musicians and film directors. The United
States has produced the most recipients (48), followed by Japan
(23), the United Kingdom (12), and France (8). See all laureates by
year at http://www.kyotoprize.org/en/laureates/list_by_year/.
Click here to download photos (Credit: Courtesy of
Inamori Foundation):
1. Dr. Karl Deisseroth at the 34th annual Kyoto Prize ceremony,
Nov. 10, 2018.2. Dr. Deisseroth receives the Kyoto Prize.3. The
Kyoto Prize ceremony, Nov. 10, 2018, at the Kyoto International
Conference Center, Kyoto, Japan.4. The 2018 Kyoto Prize Laureates
include (from left) Dr. Karl Deisseroth (U.S.A.) in Advanced
Technology; Dr. Masaki Kashiwara (Japan) in Basic Sciences; and Ms.
Joan Jonas (U.S.A.) in Arts and Philosophy.
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(U.S.)Jay Scovie, North American Liaison, Inamori
Foundation+1-619-517-3037 or jay.scovie@gmail.com
(Japan)Daisuke Ota, Public Relations Division+81-75-353-7272 or
press@inamori-f.or.jp