Prince Mahidol Awards presented to American researchers

BANGKOK, Feb 1 (TNA) -- Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn presented Prince Mahidol Awards to American researchers for their excellent work on the human genome and an anti-bacterial vaccine, at the Grand Palace in Bangkok on Jan 31. One award in the medical category went to the United States’ National Human Genome Research Institute for its large-scaled Human Genome Project. The project reveals the mechanisms of human cells and organs and is greatly contributing to various fields of advanced medicine. Dr Eric Green, the director of the research institute, accepted the award. The other award is in the public health category. It was presented to Prof Porter Anderson Jr, Dr John Robbins, Dr Rachel Schneerson and Prof Mathuram Santosham for their collaboration to develop a vaccine to prevent the infection of Haemophilus influenza type B (Hib) which causes meningitis among the young. The vaccine helps protect hundreds of millions of children worldwide. HRH Princess Sirindhorn said researches on medicine and public health required considerable perseverance and cooperation at individual and national levels. Both award-winning projects were truly beneficial to humanity, the princess said. (TNA)