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Awarded by the Heineken Foundation
once every three years, the Dr. H.P.
Heineken prize for outstanding achieve
ment in the field of biochemistry or
biophysics was presented by His Royal
Highness Prince Claus of the Netherlands
to the British scientist Dr. Aaron Klug at
an Amsterdam ceremony last year.
The prize, a sum of about 50,000, is
accompanied by an exact replica of the
microscope developed by Antoni van
Leeuwenhoek, eminent Dutch micros-
copist and naturalist. The replica is
mounted on a specially designed crystal
portraying four symbols related to
biochemistry, biophysics, microbiology
and the germination physiology of seeds.
The award is made on the recommendation
of a special committee set up by the
Physics Department of the Royal Dutch
Academy of Science. It was founded for
two purposes: to honour the memory of
Dr. H.P. Heineken, himself a chemist,
who devoted his outstanding ability to the
service of the Heineken company as
Director and President, and to contribute
to promotion of the four sciences depicted
by the crystal. These are related to the
brewing process.
Dr. Klug, sixth winner of the prize,
received the award for his work over a
long period in a wide field of scientific
research. Throughout his career the
52-year old Briton has shown himself to
be a versatile scientist. He has been active
in a number of scientific fields and has
been able to combine his knowledge of
chemistry, physics, mathematics and
biology - a rather rare achievement in a
world of increasing specialization.
The research for which Dr. Klug was
honoured is best summarized as a
determination of the structure of macro-
molecular complexes. Through his work
he has increased available knowledge and
so created new fields of possible research
The presentation ceremony, held in the
auditorium of the Royal Dutch Academy
of Science, was opened by Professor Dr.
Lever, Chairman of the Physics Depart
ment. Professor Dr. H.C.J. Berendsen,
member of the Preparatory Committee,
then explained the reasons for the jury's
choice.
Next to address the gathering was Mr.
A.H. Heineken in his role as Chairman of
the Board of the Heineken Foundation. He
expressed his gratitude to Prince Claus for
being willing to present the award in spite
of the fact that his presence was required
elsewhere that same afternoon in connec
tion with Her Majesty Queen Juliana's
seventieth birthday. Mr. Heineken again
emphasized that the company's purpose,
when establishing the Heineken Founda
tion in 1963, was to promote scientific
activities. The major reason had been
the wish to recognise openly that, in
today's world, modern industry and
business could exist and thrive only with
the aid of science. Mr. Heineken ended his
speech by formally requesting the Prince
to present the award. In his address to the
prize-winner Prince Claus praised
Dr. Klug's achievements: "For many
years you have worked in the front rank of
scientific progress. With your funda
mental study of the complicated problems
of analytical techniques, and intricate
compositions of the various structures,
you have made a most important
contribution to the extension of knowledge
of essential processes of life, from which
today's medical science derives much
benefit."
Expressing his thanks, Dr. Klug said he
had been very honoured that he should
have been the one to receive the Dr. H.P.
Heineken prize.
Professor Dr. L.L.M. van Deenen, who
received the Heineken prize three years
ago, was also there to congratulate Dr.
Klug.
British scientist awarded
Dn H. R Heineken prize
Prince Claus presents the Dr. H.P. Heineken prize to Dr. Aaron Klug.
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