Trio win Nobel for Medicine for immune system research

3 Oktyabr 2011 14:00 | 777

The three scientists who awarded the 2011 Nobel Prize for Medicine on Monday "revolutionized our understanding of the immune system by discovering key principles for its activation."

Bruce A Beutler of the United States and Luxembourg-born Jules A Hoffmann were cited for discoveries concerning the activation of innate immunity, the first step in the body's immune system.

Canadian-born Ralf M Steinman was cited for his "discovery of the dendritic cell and its role in adaptive immunity," the Nobel Assembly said in a statement, citing his discover of a news cell type in 1973.

"This year's Nobel Laureates have revolutionized our understanding of the immune system by discovering key principles for its activation," according to the statement.