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Nobel Prize for parasitic disease discoveries Nobel Prize for parasitic disease discoveries
(35 minutes later)
The Nobel Prize for physiology or medicine has been split two ways for groundbreaking work on parasitic diseases.The Nobel Prize for physiology or medicine has been split two ways for groundbreaking work on parasitic diseases.
William C Campbell and Satoshi Ōmura found a new drug against infections caused by roundworm parasites. William C Campbell and Satoshi Ōmura found a new way of tackling infections caused by roundworm parasites.
Youyou Tu shares the prize for her discovery of a therapy against malaria.Youyou Tu shares the prize for her discovery of a therapy against malaria.
The Nobel committee said the work had changed the lives of the hundreds of millions of people affected by these diseases.The Nobel committee said the work had changed the lives of the hundreds of millions of people affected by these diseases.
The mosquito-borne disease malaria kills more than 450,000 people each year around the world, with billions more at risk of catching the infection.The mosquito-borne disease malaria kills more than 450,000 people each year around the world, with billions more at risk of catching the infection.
Parasitic worms affect a third of the world's population and cause a number of illnesses, including River Blindness and Lymphatic Filariasis.Parasitic worms affect a third of the world's population and cause a number of illnesses, including River Blindness and Lymphatic Filariasis.
ParasitesParasites
After decades of limited progress, the discovery of the two new drugs - Ivermectin for River Blindness and Lymphatic Filariasis, and Artemisinin for malaria - was a game changer. After decades of limited progress, the discovery of the two new drugs - Ivermectin for River Blindness and Lymphatic Filariasis, and Artemisinin for malaria - was a game-changer.
Efforts to eradicate malaria had been failing - older drugs were losing their potency - and the disease was on the rise.Efforts to eradicate malaria had been failing - older drugs were losing their potency - and the disease was on the rise.
Prof Youyou Tu, who in the 1960s had recently graduated from the Pharmacy Department at Beijing Medical University, looked to traditional herbal medicine to find a potential therapy.Prof Youyou Tu, who in the 1960s had recently graduated from the Pharmacy Department at Beijing Medical University, looked to traditional herbal medicine to find a potential therapy.
She took an extract from the plant called Artemisia annua or Sweet wormwood and began testing it on malaria parasites.She took an extract from the plant called Artemisia annua or Sweet wormwood and began testing it on malaria parasites.
The component, later called Artemisinin, was highly effective at killing them.The component, later called Artemisinin, was highly effective at killing them.
Today, the drug is used around the world in combination with other malaria medicines.Today, the drug is used around the world in combination with other malaria medicines.
In Africa alone, this is saving more than 100,000 lives every year.In Africa alone, this is saving more than 100,000 lives every year.
Tu is the 13th woman to win this Nobel Prize.Tu is the 13th woman to win this Nobel Prize.
She shares the award with two men who found a treatment for another parasite - roundworm.She shares the award with two men who found a treatment for another parasite - roundworm.
Their drug, Ivermectin, is so successful that roundworm diseases are on the verge of eradication. Their discovery has led to the development of a drug called Ivermectin, which is so successful that roundworm diseases are on the verge of eradication.
Satoshi Ōmura, a Japanese microbiologist, made his discovery after studying microbes in soils samples. Satoshi Ōmura, a Japanese microbiologist, focused on studying microbes in soils samples.
He selected a number of promising candidates that he though might work as a weapon against diseases.He selected a number of promising candidates that he though might work as a weapon against diseases.
Irish-born William Campbell, an expert in parasite biology working in the US, then explored these further and found one was remarkably efficient against parasites.
The active ingredient, Avermectin, went on to become a drug known as Ivermectin which is now used to treat River Blindness and Lymphatic Filariasis.
River blindness is an eye and skin disease that ultimately leads to blindness. Lymphatic filariasis, also known as elephantitis, causes painful swelling of the limbs.
Previous winners of the Nobel Prize for physiology or medicinePrevious winners of the Nobel Prize for physiology or medicine
2014 - Three scientists - John O'Keefe, May-Britt Moser and Edvard Moser - for discovering the brain's navigating system.2014 - Three scientists - John O'Keefe, May-Britt Moser and Edvard Moser - for discovering the brain's navigating system.
2013 - James Rothman, Randy Schekman, and Thomas Sudhof for their discovery of how cells precisely transport material.2013 - James Rothman, Randy Schekman, and Thomas Sudhof for their discovery of how cells precisely transport material.
2012 - Two pioneers of stem cell research - John Gurdon and Shinya Yamanaka - were awarded the Nobel after changing adult cells into stem cells.2012 - Two pioneers of stem cell research - John Gurdon and Shinya Yamanaka - were awarded the Nobel after changing adult cells into stem cells.
2011 - Bruce Beutler, Jules Hoffmann and Ralph Steinman shared the prize after revolutionising the understanding of how the body fights infection.2011 - Bruce Beutler, Jules Hoffmann and Ralph Steinman shared the prize after revolutionising the understanding of how the body fights infection.
2010 - Robert Edwards for devising the fertility treatment IVF which led to the first "test tube baby" in July 1978.2010 - Robert Edwards for devising the fertility treatment IVF which led to the first "test tube baby" in July 1978.
2009 - Elizabeth Blackburn, Carol Greider and Jack Szostak for finding the telomeres at the ends of chromosomes.2009 - Elizabeth Blackburn, Carol Greider and Jack Szostak for finding the telomeres at the ends of chromosomes.