Nobel Prize

A chance discovery made around 80 years ago paved the way for Mary Brunkow’s painstaking work, which contributed to redefining how the immune system functions. From investigating an obscure gene dismissed as ‘junk’ by other scientists, to choosing to opt out of academia and conduct her research at a biotech startup, Brunkow has embraced the unexpected throughout her career.

Learn more about some of the Nobel Prize-awarded discoveries in the fields of cells, nerves and genes. Cells, nerves and genes are fundamental to all living organisms. They control life’s processes and development. Often, this is where illness and suffering are caused. Knowledge about cells, nerves and genes is built on centuries of exploring life’s smallest details. New…

Interview with the 2025 Nobel Prize laureate in physiology or medicine Fred Ramsdell on 6 December 2025 during Nobel Week in Stockholm, Sweden. What was your childhood like? Fred Ramsdell: My childhood I would describe as being incredibly boringly normal. I have two siblings – or had two siblings, one has passed much older than…

Interview with the 2025 Nobel Prize laureate in physiology or medicine Mary Brunkow on 6 December 2025 during Nobel Week in Stockholm, Sweden. Can you tell us about your childhood?  Mary Brunkow: I grew up in Portland, Oregon, on the west coast of the US. I have two brothers. I’m in the middle. I had…

Interview with the 2024 medicine laureate Gary Ruvkun, recorded on 6 December 2024 during Nobel Week in Stockholm, Sweden. Where does your passion for science come from?  Gary Ruvkun: My passion for science really probably begins with my father being an engineer. When we would go on a family vacation to the mountains, most families…

Video from the award ceremony Watch a video clip of Shimon Sakaguchi receiving his Nobel Prize medal and diploma during the award ceremony at Konserthuset Stockholm, Sweden, on 10 December 2025.

Video from the award ceremony Watch a video clip of Fred Ramsdell receiving his Nobel Prize medal and diploma during the award ceremony at Konserthuset Stockholm, Sweden, on 10 December 2025.

Video from the award ceremony Watch a video clip of Mary E. Brunkow receiving her Nobel Prize medal and diploma during the award ceremony at Konserthuset Stockholm, Sweden, on 10 December 2025.

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Mary E. Brunkow’s speech at the Nobel Prize banquet, 10 December 2025 Your Majesties,Your Royal Highnesses,Excellences,Dear Laureates,Ladies and gentlemen, On behalf of Professors and , I would like to thank the Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institute and the Nobel Foundation.  On October 6, while I was desperately trying to sleep through the 1:00am scam calls…