University of Osaka celebrates Sakaguchi’s Nobel Prize

Students and staff at the University of Osaka have celebrated the awarding of the Nobel Prize to scientist Sakaguchi Shimon, who serves there as a specially appointed professor.

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 discovery of regulatory T cells, which suppress overreacting immune cells.

A day after winning the prize, Sakaguchi was welcomed with applause at the university’s head office.

Sakaguchi received a bouquet from the university’s president and posed for a photograph together with his wife, Noriko.

Sakaguchi told reporters that he received celebratory messages from various people last night. He said time quickly passed as he read them, leaving him a little short of sleep. He added that with so many media crews on hand, the honor of winning the prize is starting to sink in.

A medical school student said it was touching and motivating to see Sakaguchi win the Nobel Prize. She said she hopes to make achievements as a researcher and follow in his footsteps.