NEW YORK, NY – On Thursday, November 8, 2007 $3.1 million was raised for Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory at its second Double Helix Medals Dinner. The event honored David H. Koch, for Corporate Leadership, and Richard Axel, M.D. and Michael Wigler, Ph.D., for Scientific Research. The black-tie gala event was held at New York City’s Mandarin Oriental Hotel.

The Double Helix Medals for Scientific Achievement were presented to Dr. Michael Wigler (far left), and Dr. Richard Axel (far right), at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory’s 2007 Double Helix Medals Dinner, November 8, 2007. Pictured with the honorees is Evelyn Lauder, who presented the awards, and Dr. Bruce Stillman, CSHL President.

“As an institution, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory has long been recognized for its excellence in biological and biomedical science research,” said Dr. Bruce Stillman, Laboratory President. “It is therefore fitting we recognize individuals who have dedicated their lives to conducting or supporting genetics research for improving the health of people everywhere.”

The Double Helix Medal, inaugurated in 2006, refers to the unique structure of DNA molecule, which carries all of life's information. It is central to biological research, and is at the heart of work performed at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.

David Koch is co-owner and executive vice president of Koch Industries, the largest privately held company in America. He has personally pledged and contributed more than $400 million dollars to programs that further cancer research, and other organizations. Mr. Koch sits on over twenty non-profit boards, and has also been active in the public policy field.

Nobel laureate Richard Axel, Ph.D., a pioneer in the fields of molecular biology, genetics, and neurobiology serves as a University Professor and Investigator at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University. Using novel approaches, his impact on molecular genetics and neuroscience research is far reaching.

The Double Helix Medal for Corporate Leadership was presented to David Koch (far right), at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory’s 2007 Double Helix Medals Dinner, November 8, 2007. Pictured with the honoree is Hillie Mahoney, who presented the award to Mr. Koch, and Dr. Bruce Stillman, CSHL President.

Dr. Michael Wigler’s leadership in genetics, cancer, and cognitive disorders research has been the catalyst for developing the methods used for many discoveries in genetics, and thereby, the means for producing medicines used to treat heart disease, cancer and strokes. His genetic theories have provided a new way to approach and understand many other cognitive and physical abnormalities.

The funds raised will fortify and expand Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory’s leadership role in making groundbreaking research discoveries, developing innovative technologies to study the fundamental aspects of human health, and continuing to teach the next generation of scientists.

Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory is a private, non-profit research and education institution at the forefront of research in cancer and molecular biology, neuroscience, plant genetics, and bioinformatics and genomics. Under the leadership of Bruce Stillman, Ph.D., President, more than 400 scientists conduct groundbreaking research to advance the understanding and ability to diagnose and treat cancers, autism, schizophrenia, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and other causes of human suffering.

For more information about Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, visit www.cshl.edu and for more information about the Double Helix Medals Dinner, visit doublehelixmedals.cshl.edu.