German doctor and cancer researcher Harald zur Hausen has been awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine for his discovery of the virus that causes cervical cancer, leading ultimately to the development of a vaccine for the cancer-causing human papilloma viruses. Zur Hausen, professor emeritus at the German Cancer Research Centre in Heidelberg, shares the 2008 award with two French researchers credited with discovering HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

Enlarge image

Harald zur Hausen is professor emeritus and former Chairman and Scientific Director of the German Cancer Research Centre in Heidelberg.

(© dpa - Report)

In the 1970s Prof. Dr. zur Hausen defied prevailing views at the time by postulating a connection between infection with the human papilloma virus (HPV) and cervical cancer. After pursuing his theory for about 10 years, zur Hausen and his research group were finally able to isolate two types of HPV from cervical cancer tumor samples. HPV 16 and 18 have since been found to cause 70 percent of all cervical cancers.

His research laid the groundwork for the development of vaccines against HPV infection. Cervical cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in women.

Zur Hausen will receive one half of the approximately one million euro ($1.4 million ) prize. The other half will be split by Françoise Barré-Sinoussi and Luc Montagnier of France for the discovery of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Federal President Horst Köhler, in a letter of congratulation, called zur Hausen’s work a service to mankind. The award honors zur Hausen’s scientific excellence and at the same time highlights the German Cancer Research Centre, part of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres, and affirms the good reputation that science in Germany has earned worldwide, Köhler writes. Research Minister Annette Schavan called the award a great distinction for the German research landscape. It confirms the position of Germany, especially the German Cancer Research Center in Heidelberg, at the vanguard of international research, she said.

Prof. Jürgen Mlynek, President of the Helmholtz Association also hailed the awarding of the prize to zur Hausen. “The Helmholtz Association is very proud that the work of Harald zur Hausen has received due recognition with the Nobel Prize. He put forward what at that time was an entirely new hypothesis, tested it thoroughly and achieved a tremendous step forward for women’s health.”

The vaccine has recently also been licensed in Germany and is an excellent example of successful technology transfer from basic research, according to the Helmholtz Association.

Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres

Nobel Foundation