Robert L. Coffman, PhD, an investigator at the Baylor Institute for Immunology Research, has been honored as one of two recipients of the 2013 Novartis Prize for Basic Immunology. Dr. Coffman, who is also the vice president and chief scientific officer at Dynavax, shares the prize with Tim R. Mosmann, PhD, director of the Human Immunology Center at the University of Rochester.
Dr. Coffman was selected by Novartis for his landmark contribution in science. His research analyzed the biology of immune system T-cells. Specifically, the study helped determine the distinct functions of two T-helper cell subsets: Th1 cells play a major role in cellular immunity critical for resistance to infections, whereas Th2 cells can induce allergic diseases. This discovery established one of the most fundamental principles of immunology and has had an essential impact on the understanding of how the immune system fights microbial infection and how an improperly regulated immune system leads to human inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. The Novartis Prize is given once every three years and is considered the most prestigious award in immunology.
“I am truly honored to receive this recognition and to share it with my friend and collaborator, Tim Mosmann,” Dr. Coffman said. “It has been especially gratifying that so many immunologists have built upon our work to bring our understanding of T-cells to the current level of sophistication and complexity.”
Dr. Coffman will attend a prize ceremony at the 15th International Congress of Immunology in August in Milan. He and Dr. Mosmann will share a 100,000 Swiss francs (CHF) prize, a portion of which is awarded in personal recognition of exceptional individual achievements, while the remainder supports the prize winner’s research.
Baylor Institute for Immunology Research is a component of Baylor Research Institute of Dallas, the research arm of the Baylor Health Care System.
Kristine Hughes
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