The Swedish geneticist has developed methods to study ancient DNA that have allowed the recovery and analysis of the genome of extinct species such as the Neanderthals
The assembly Nobel of the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm has distinguished with the Nobel Prize in Medicine and Physiology to the Swedish biologist Svante Pbo (Stockholm, 1955), for his discoveries on human evolution.
As the Jury has stated, “Through his pioneering research, Svante Pbo achieved something seemingly impossible: sequence the neanderthal genome, an extinct relative of modern humans. He also made the sensational discovery of a previously unknown hominid, Denisova (or Denisovan).”
The minutes also emphasize that “Pbo also discovered that there had been a transfer of genes from these now extinct hominids to the A wise man following the migration out of Africa about 70,000 years ago. This ancient gene flow for modern humans has physiological relevance today, for example by affecting how our immune systems react to infections.”
Named by Time magazine one of the 100 most influential people of 2007Pbo is considered one of the creators of the so-called paleogenmica. Through his investigations, it has been possible to discover the genetic differences that distinguish current human beings from extinct hominids. His discoveries thus pave the way to explore what it is that makes us human.
In addition, the methodology that the scientist has developed throughout his career has also allowed many other groups to advance in their research. Pbo was able to develop methods to study ancient DNA; Using modern techniques, she was able to extract genetic information from the fossils, despite the fact that DNA is a material that is contaminated and degrades very quickly.
Thanks to their findings, we also know how this gene pool influences the physiology of modern humans. An example is the EPAS1 gene, ‘inherited’ from the Denisovans, which confers an advantage in surviving in high-altitude areas and is common in current populations, such as the Tibetans.
Specialist in evolutionary genetics, the Swedish biologist received his doctorate in 1986 at the University of Upsala in 1986. Since 1997 heads the Department of Genetics at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig (Germany).
The scientist received the news of the prize in Leipzig and was left speechless in the first place, according to what the Swedish Academy pointed out when making the award public.
Among other awards, the scientist received the Princess of Asturias Award for Scientific and Technical Research in 2018. “His discoveries of him force us to rewrite the history of our species,” the jury’s minutes said.
Last year, the Nobel Prize went to the scientists David Julius and Ardem Patapoutian for having known how to unravelThe mechanisms that allow us to feel cold, heat, pressure or pain.
In 2020, the winners were the researchers William G. Kaelin (USA), Sir Peter J. Ratcliffe (UK) and Gregg L. Seed (USA). The award was due to his discoveries about how cells are able to recognize and adapt to the availability of oxygen.
In 2019, the Karolinska Institute distinguished scientists James P. Allison and Tasuku Honjo for his research on cancer immunotherapy.
After the award for Medicine, which opens the Nobel Prize every year, will be followed by Physics on Tuesday, October 4, Chemistry on Wednesday 5 and Literature on Thursday 6. On Friday 7, the Nobel Peace Prize will be awarded and, finally, , the award for Economic Sciences will be announced on Monday 10.
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