Japanese scientist Sakaguchi Shimon has expressed hope that his winning of the Nobel Prize will lead to further progress in studies of the immune system.
Sakaguchi and two American scientists were named winners of this year’s Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine on Monday. They were honored for their groundbreaking achievements in immunology, including the discovery of regulatory T cells that prevent immune cells from attacking the body.
After receiving the news, Sakaguchi spoke at the University of Osaka where he serves as a specially appointed professor. He said he is greatly honored, and deeply grateful to all the students and researchers who have studied with him.
Sakaguchi said he hopes winning the Nobel Prize will lead to more development and progress in immunology, so that the results can be applied in clinical fields.
He said he firmly believes that effective therapies and preventative steps can be found for illnesses that are difficult to treat. He said he intends to remain engaged in research to achieve that goal.
Sakaguchi is due to meet the university’s faculty on Tuesday to report his winning of the Nobel Prize.
Sakaguchi is the 29th person from Japan to receive the honor following Manabe Syukuro, who won the physics prize in 2021. The 29 recipients include those who have obtained US citizenship.
Last year, the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Nihon Hidankyo, a Japanese organization representing the survivors of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War Two.
AloJapan.com