World of Heineken 39 - winter 2008/2009
SOME PREVIOUS PRIZE WINNERS HAVE
HAD A HUGE IMPACT ON OUR WORLD
Throughout its existence, the Heineken Prizes
have been awarded for many monumental
achievements. One of which came to light
24 years ago. While studying the X-ray of a
DNA experiment at 9:05 am on 10 September
1984, British geneticist Sir Alec Jeffreys had
a "eureka moment". Ultimately the discovery
meant that Jeffreys could unlock the
secrets of DNA fingerprinting. Professionals
around the globe now commonly use this
revolutionary breakthrough in science. The
technique, simply described, uses variations
in the human genetic code to identify
individuals.
In recognition of his achievements with DNA
fingerprinting, Sir Alec Jeffreys was presented
with the $150,000 Dr H.P. Heineken Prize
for Biochemistry and Biophysics in 2006.
The Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and
Sciences paid tribute to Jeffreys' contribution
to science by saying. "The impact of Jeffreys'
discovery has been so far-reaching and
rapid, that it is virtually impossible to imagine
a world without it. His technique - DNA
fingerprinting - allows us to answer questions
such as: Who is the biological father of a
child? And are these bones truly the remains
of the last Tsar of Russia?" DNA fingerprinting
has also been crucial in allowing experts
to prove the innocence of people wrongly
convicted for past crimes. DNA fingerprinting
can also be applied to non-human species.
Wildlife managers across the world now use
the technique to assess the genetic health of
species in their areas.
Sir Alec Jeffreys is just one of an illustrious
number of Heineken Prize winners who have
contributed fundamental knowledge through
their work. Heineken Prize winners have gone
on to win Nobel Prizes and many other major
distinctions, clearly affirming the prizes' high
standards.
THE PURPOSE OF THE PRIZES
Charlene de Carvalho-Heineken, daughter of
the late Alfred Heineken and the chairman of
the Alfred Heineken Fondsen Foundation, said
the main reason for the Prizes' creation was
to "encourage scientists in their research."
It was an act of homage to his father, Dr
Henry Pierre Heineken (1886-1971), that
Alfred Heineken (1923-2002), established the
Dr H.P. Heineken Prize for Biochemistry and
Biophysics in 1964. A multi talented man,
Henry Heineken also held a PhD in chemistry.
He believed that scientific research was vital
for the advancement of industry. His son,
Alfred H. Heineken had an equal respect for
science and its practitioners. In addition to
the Dr. H.P. Heineken Prize for Biochemistry
and Biophysics, he established a number of
foundations with a view to using them to fund
more prizes for scientists. Enough capital
had been accumulated by the late 1980s to
fund these. Alfred Heineken also had a deep
appreciation of the Arts, and discovered
many Dutch artists before their work became
well known.
The Heineken prize foundations have
entrusted the nomination and selection of
the Heineken Prizes to the Royal Netherlands
Academy of Arts and Sciences. Roughly one
year in advance of the award ceremony, the
Academy invites scientists and institutions
from around the world, to nominate
candidates for the Heineken Science Prizes.
One criterion that must be met is that the
candidates should still be active as scientists
or scholars and are expected to carry on
with their work for at least another ten years.
Finally and just as importantly, they must also
serve as a source of inspiration to others.
An independent jury of members of the
Academy, acting in a personal capacity,
perform the selection for the Dr A.H.
Heineken Prize for Art. Only Dutch artists can
qualify. Charlene de Carvalho-Heineken said
her father, Alfred Heineken, "would fall in love
with a work of art. His quest was to discover
new artistic talent and support young Dutch
artists. That is just what the Prize is designed
to do."
MEET PROF. JACK SZOSTAK
Heineken
Heineken
MEET PRoFESSCR
STANISLAS DEHAENE
Heineken
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THAN ISRAEL
Some of the posters above promoting the lectures given by the award winners
at Dutch universities.
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