Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) Professor Adrian Krainer has won the Albany Prize, one of America’s largest awards for biomedical research. He now joins a prestigious list of recipients that includes names like Anthony Fauci, Emmanuelle Charpentier, and Jennifer Doudna.
The Albany Prize recognizes scientists whose work has translated from “the bench to the bedside.” It’s a long and difficult journey. Many basic bioscience breakthroughs never make it. Indeed, it took years for Krainer’s research in RNA splicing to make its way to the clinic. But when it did, the results were undeniable. His breakthroughs led to the first FDA-approved treatment for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), the leading genetic cause of infant death. Now, Krainer is set to receive one of the most lucrative prizes in all of science and medicine.
“On behalf of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory’s Board of Trustees, faculty, students, and staff, I congratulate Adrian Krainer on this incredible honor,” said CSHL President and CEO Bruce Stillman. “His devotion to RNA splicing research has impacted countless patients and their families. It’s a perfect example of how fundamental research can lead to life-changing discoveries.”
At $500,000, the Albany Prize is the second-most valuable prize for medicine in the United States and the fourth-most in the world. Thirteen past winners have gone on to receive the Nobel Prize. Krainer will share this year’s award with Lynne Maquat and Howard Chang.
“I feel very honored to receive the Albany Prize, and to share it with Lynne and Howard,” Krainer says. “It is very humbling to join the list of distinguished prior recipients of this award. I am grateful to the selection committee for recognizing the importance of my lab’s research on mRNA splicing, the impact of Spinraza for the treatment of SMA, and the promise of similar approaches for treating other genetic diseases and cancer.”
Written by: Luis Sandoval, Communications Specialist | sandova@cshl.edu | 516-367-6826