Australian Scientist Wins Biochemistry Award

The Analytic Biochemistry Prize for 2004, worth around U.S.$60,000, has been awarded to Prof. Susan Clark, of Sydney (Australia,) for her pioneering work in molecular biology and epigenetics. The award was made by the German United Association for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (DGKL) for outstanding achievements in the fields of biochemical and molecular analytics, clinical chemistry, and molecular medicine. The prize was sponsored by Beckman Coulter (Fullerton, CA, USA).

Prof. Clark, head of the Epigenetics Unit at the Garvan Institute in Sydney, has been recognized for her outstanding research achievements in the field of DNA methylation analysis over the last 10 years. This includes the development of a revolutionary sequencing protocol that is now regarded internationally as the best method of detecting methylated cytosines in a DNA sequence. The detection of methylated DNA sequences in secretions and excretions as well as blood may make an important contribution to early diagnosis of tumors.

"This is quite different from gene mutation as a cause of cancer and potentially far more significant,” said Prof. Dr. Michael Oellerich, president of DGKL. "It appears she has found a way to accurately identify a process taking place in a gene where the inbuilt process of gene regulation is silenced or switched off. The body's natural control mechanism can then no longer function correctly.”

While early marker tests are now being researched for their functionality, Prof. Oellerich cautioned that this is still in its early stages. "If we can correctly identify methylation taking place within the gene before it causes damage, then we potentially have a radically new way of treating and detecting disease.”

The prize presentation was made on Sunday, June 27, 2004, at the Staudinger Symposium in Kloster Banz (Germany). Since the prize was first launched in 1970, the award has recognized the work of 27 world-renowned scientists, five of whom have subsequently won a Nobel Prize.




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