American researchers win Prince Mahidol Awards this year

BANGKOK, Nov 17 (TNA) – American researchers win two Prince Mahidol Awards this year for their Human Genome Project and Haemophilus influenzae type B vaccine. Dr Prasit Watanapa, dean of the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital who chairs a committee on Prince Mahidol Awards, and US ambassador Glyn Davies announced the winners and their work. One award goes to the National Human Genome Research Institute of the US. It started the Human Genome Project in 1990 to examine all human genes and the mechanisms of human bodies, illness development and mutation. Knowledge from the project greatly supports disease researches and medicine development. The other award will be presented to Prof Porter Anderson Jr, Dr John Robbins, Dr Rachel Schneerson and Prof Mathuram Santosham who researched on the Haemophilus influenzae type B and the Haemophilus influenzae type B vaccine also called the Hib vaccine. The Haemophilus influenzae bacteria causes meningitis in young children and patients carry high risks of death and permanent disabilities. The vaccine was developed to effectively stimulate immunity and its use has been promoted in about 190 countries. It is predicted that the vaccine will have saved the lives of about 7 million children by 2020. His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn assigned Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn to present the awards at the Chakri Maha Prasat Throne Hall on Jan 31, 2018. (TNA)