The Foundation for the National Institutes of Health Awards 2024 Lurie Prize in Biomedical Sciences to Howard Y. Chang, M.D., Ph.D.
June 04 2024 - 8:17AM
Business Wire
The Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH) has
named Howard Y. Chang, M.D., Ph.D., of Stanford University, as the
recipient of the 2024 Lurie Prize in Biomedical Sciences. Dr. Chang
and his team revealed the vital importance of long noncoding RNA –
genetic material that does not code for proteins – in gene
regulation and its impact on human diseases, including cancer and
autoimmunity.
“Dr. Chang’s work unveiling the noncoding genome represents a
landmark achievement in advancing our understanding of cancer and
autoimmune diseases,” said Julie Gerberding, MD, MPH, President and
CEO of the FNIH. “His research embodies the innovative spirit of
the Lurie Prize. It has significantly contributed to our
understanding of how genes are controlled and has helped lay the
groundwork for developing new and more effective therapies for
these diseases.”
“Our research seeks to understand a new class of genes, called
long noncoding RNAs, that help cells decide and remember their cell
fates. This is paving the way for future treatment for diseases
such as cancer and autoimmunity,” Dr. Chang said. “I am delighted
to receive the 2024 Lurie Prize in Biomedical Sciences. I am very
honored and humbled by this great recognition.”
Dr. Chang is the Virginia and D. K. Ludwig Professor of Cancer
Research and professor of dermatology and genetics at Stanford
University. His discovery of long noncoding RNA and its role in
gene regulation helped shed light on the 98% of the human genome
that does not code for proteins. The discovery followed the Chang
team’s development of a new genomic technology called ATAC-seq,
which was a million times more sensitive than previous methods in
mapping active DNA regulatory elements and transformed the field of
epigenetic research. Recently, the team published research
suggesting that Xist, a type of long noncoding RNA, may help
explain why autoimmune diseases are more common in women than
men.
Currently in its 12th year, the Lurie Prize in Biomedical
Sciences recognizes outstanding achievement by promising scientists
aged 52 years old or younger. The prize includes a $100,000
honorarium, made possible by a donation to the FNIH from
philanthropist Ann Lurie, President of the Ann and Robert H. Lurie
Foundation and President of Lurie Holdings, Inc.
“Dr. Chang’s impressive work significantly advances our
understanding of the human genome. I’m excited to see how his
research will continue to bear fruit and inspire scientists for
years to come,” Ms. Lurie said.
A jury of distinguished biomedical researchers selected Dr.
Chang as this year’s Lurie Prize recipient. The jury is chaired by
Solomon H. Snyder, M.D., Distinguished Service Professor of
Neuroscience, Pharmacology & Psychiatry, Founder and past
Director of The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience at
Johns Hopkins University, and Vice Chairman of the FNIH Board.
The 2024 Lurie Prize will be awarded at the 12th annual FNIH
Awards Ceremony on the evening of October 29, 2024, in Washington,
D.C. The Trailblazer Prize for Clinician-Scientists and the Charles
A. Sanders, M.D., Partnership Award also will be presented.
The FNIH gratefully acknowledges our Annual Awards Ceremony
Premier Sponsors, Fred and Donna Seigel, and our Visionary
Sponsors, Paul and Sandra Montrone, Dr. Gilbert S. Omenn and Ms.
Martha A. Darling, and Steven and Jann Paul, MD.
For more information about the Lurie Prize in Biomedical
Sciences and a list of previous winners, please visit
fnih.org/LuriePrize.
About the Foundation for the National Institutes of
Health
The Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH)
builds public-private partnerships that connect leading biomedical
scientists at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) with their
counterparts in life sciences companies, academia, patient
organizations, foundations, and regulatory agencies (including the
Food and Drug Administration and European Medicines Agency).
Through team science, the FNIH solves complex health challenges and
accelerates breakthroughs for patients, regardless of who they are
or what health threats they face. The FNIH contributes to the
development of new therapies, diagnostics, and potential cures;
advances global health and equity in care; and celebrates and helps
train the next generations of scientists. Established by Congress
in 1990 to support the mission of the NIH, the FNIH is a
not-for-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization. For more
information about the FNIH, please visit fnih.org.
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Geralyn Laneve FNIH 301-827-6648 glaneve@fnih.org