Nationality Japan Name Takashi Sugimura | Alma mater University of Tokyo Known for Carcinogenesis | |
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Fields Biochemistry
Cancer Research Institutions National Cancer Center
University of Tokyo
Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research Notable awards Charles S. Mott Prize (1981)
Japan Prize (1997) Institution University of Tokyo, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research | ||
Takashi Sugimura (杉村 隆, Sugimura Takashi, born April 20, 1926) is a Japanese biochemist, famous for research on chemical carcinogens. He received the Japan Prize for the contribution to establishment of fundamental concept on causes of cancer. He was elected as President of the Japan Academy on October 15, 2013.
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Contribution
Sugimura isolated and identified many mutagens with a structure of heterocyclic amine from foods cooked under ordinary conditions. He showed that tumors induced by these heterocyclic amines had genetic alterations. He further developed his studies to analyze multiple-step carcinogenesis at molecular levels to promote effective primary prevention of cancer. His group identified the novel polymer poly(ADP-ribose) and demonstrated the presence of the enzyme poly ADP ribose polymerase (PARP). He also discovered the cognate catabolic enzyme, poly(ADP-ribose) glycohydrolase (PARG) and further elucidated the biology of poly(ADP-ribose). The astonishing discovery of pierisin, an apoptogenic peptide that ADP-ribosyaltes DNA, profoundly illuminates his scientific character and curiosity as well.
Biography
Sugimura completed his M.D. in 1949 from the Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo, and received the degree of Doctor of Medical Science in 1957 from the same institution. After his postdoctoral fellowship at the Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, he became Chief of Biochemistry Division at the Research Institute, National Cancer Center in Tokyo in 1962, where he served as President from 1984 to 1991. In addition, he was Professor of Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo from 1970 to 1985 and President of Toho University from 1994 to 2000. He is Fellow of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Academy, Honorary Member of Japanese Cancer Association. and also President Emeritus of National Cancer Center.
Recognition
Sugimura received numerous awards and honors include the following: