2015 Lasker Awards honor DNA and cancer researchers, medical humanitarian organisation

The Lasker Awards are one of the most prestigious science awards and are also called the “American Nobels.” These awards recognize “the contributions of scientists, clinicians, and public servants who have made major advances in the understanding, diagnosis, treatment, cure or prevention of human disease.” Remarkably, many Lasker laureates have eventually received Nobel Prizes (more than 30 in the last two decades).

On September 8, the laureates of the 2015 Lasker Awards were announced. The details of the winners are as follows:

The Albert Lasker Basic Medical Research Award

To Stephen J. Elledge and Evelyn M. Witkin — “For discoveries concerning the DNA-damage response, a fundamental mechanism that protects the genomes of all living organisms."

The Lasker-DeBakey Clinical Medical Research Award

James P. Allison — "For the discovery and development of a monoclonal antibody therapy that unleashes the immune system to combat cancer."

The Lasker-Bloomberg Public Service Award

Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières in French) — "For bold leadership in responding to the recent Ebola outbreak in Africa and for sustained and effective frontline responses to health emergencies."

The winners will be honored by the Albert and Mary Lasker Foundation in a formal ceremony in Manhattan on September 18. They will also be presented with a cash prize of $250,000.

Congratulations to all the winners!