The 2015 Nobel Prize in Chemistry Awarded to Scientists from Sweden, Turkey, and the USA

The 2015 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was jointly awarded to scientists from Sweden, Turkey, and the United States. The Nobel Academy's statement published on Wednesday, October 7, mentions Tomas Lindahl, Aziz Sancar, and Paul Modrich, who received the award for their research on DNA repair systems. According to the British newspaper The Guardian, the statement says that these scientists have provided a 'fundamental understanding of the functions of living cells, which has been utilized in the advancement of new cancer treatments.' Their research indicates that DNA damage is a constant occurrence, but what prevents the complete loss of human genetic material are molecular systems that are constantly engaged in DNA repair. Tomas Lindahl, who participated in a Nobel Academy press conference by phone after being announced as one of the winners, stated: 'It is very important that we have DNA repair structures. Unfortunately, those who have defects in these structures die quickly or face serious medical problems. On the one hand, it is assumed that we can treat cancer cells with cancer drugs that cause the death of cancer cells. However, we do not want cancer cells to be repaired... Therefore, we want this repair to happen selectively.' Mr. Lindahl ultimately stated that their research could lead to better treatments and drug production. The Nobel Academy has awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry a total of 106 times from 1901 to 2014, of which 63 awards were not shared and given to individuals. Women have received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry four times, and one person, Frederick Sanger, has received it twice, in 1958 and 1980. Two days prior, the winners of the 2015 Nobel Prize in Medicine were also announced, awarded to scientists from China, Japan, and Ireland for their research on parasitic diseases. On Tuesday, the winners of the 2015 Nobel Prize in Physics were announced, who are from Japan and Canada.