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UO's Postlethwait is co-winner of Medical Research Foundation's 2007 Discovery Award
Neuroscientist recognized for his role in advancing zebrafish as a model organism for studying human health and disease
PORTLAND, Ore. -- (Nov. 14, 2007) -- University of Oregon neuroscientist John Postlethwait and Dr. Markus Grompe, director of the Oregon Stem Cell Center at the Oregon Health & Science University, share the 2007 Discovery Award, given annually by the Medical Research Foundation, an affiliate of the OHSU Foundation. The awards were announced during a private ceremony Tuesday night.
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The Discovery Award recognizes outstanding scholarly achievement by a scientist working at an Oregon research institution. Oregon State University’s Kevin Ahern, senior instructor in the department of biochemistry and biophysics, received the 2007 Mentor Award.
Postlethwait joined the UO biology department in 1971. He has been instrumental in the worldwide acceptance of zebrafish as a model for human health and disease. He developed the first genetic map for zebrafish and mapped the first mutants. He discovered a genomic duplication in the zebrafish lineage that is shared by all teleost fish. Understanding the consequences of this genomic event has been essential for relating the actions of zebrafish genes to human disease.
His team recently developed mutational models for Fanconi anemia in zebrafish, research that helps to understand the mechanisms of the disease and to identify small molecules that may serve as candidate therapies. An OHSU news release noted that Postlethwait is also a committed teacher, mentor and the author of two popularly used textbooks: "The Nature of Life, Explore Life" and "Modern Biology."
Grompe, a professor of medicine in the OHSU School of Medicine, is known for major advances in the study of two inborn and fatal errors of metabolism: hereditary tyrosinemia (a childhood liver disease) and Fanconi anemia (a blood disorder). Grompe also demonstrated that bone marrow is an important source of stem cells for the treatment of liver diseases, pioneered a mouse model for the study of human tyrosinemia and cloned the Fanconi anemia gene FANCD2. More recently, Grompe developed a line of mice with humanized livers, opening new doors in the study of drug toxicity and human pathogens such as hepatitis C.
Ahern has played a role in teaching and inspiring thousands of Oregon State students studying for careers in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, optometry and other health and science professions. He also directs OSU’s Howard Hughes Medical Institute Summer Undergraduate Research Program.
Each honoree received a distinctive crystal paperweight and a check for $5,000.
The Medical Research Foundation of Oregon was established in the early 1940s to support promising biomedical exploration and the development of research careers in clinical investigation in Oregon. In 1994, the MRF merged with the OHSU Foundation, though it retained its own unique purpose to promote biomedical research at institutions across the state. Through research seed grants and early clinical investigator awards, the MRF invests more than $1 million annually to support exceptional medical research in Oregon and to acknowledge the work of outstanding investigators and mentors.
Contacts: Michael MacRae, OHSU Foundation, 503-412-6372, macraem@ohsu.edu; or Jim Barlow, director of science and research communications, University of Oregon Office of Public and Media Relations, 541-346-3481, jebarlow@uoregon.edu