DNA sleuth awarded Curtin medal

The Curtin Medal for Excellence in Medical Research has been awarded to an Australian scientist who studies how DNA replicates in cells, in an effort to understand and find cures for diseases such as cancer.

Prof Bruce Stillman AO, who heads the world-leading US medical research centre Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, has received the 2006 Curtin Medal at The John Curtin School of Medical Research (JCSMR).

Stillman's research on cell division has formed the building blocks for understanding illness, particularly cancer. His work focuses on DNA replication in cells, a process that ensures accurate inheritance of genetic material from one generation to the next.

His work has also contributed to our knowledge of the mechanisms which control DNA replication of human viruses, as well as the processes that ensure accurate replication of the human genome and its associated protein structures, or nucleosomes.

The director of The John Curtin School of Medical Research, Prof Judith Whitworth, will present the medal to Professor Stillman.

"Professor Stillman's work brings us a step closer to understanding and developing tools to defeat the diseases of our time," Whitworth said.

"We are particularly pleased to be presenting the Curtin Medal to one of our graduates and to be acknowledging his ongoing success."