One thing we learned from the COVID-19 pandemic is the undeniable role of scientific research in general and medicine in particular. Throughout history, men and women who dedicate their careers to improving the lives of all humanity have been recognized. One of these distinctions, the Nobel Prize, recognizes since 1901 those who excel in medicine, physics, chemistry, literature, economy and peace. Of all the Nobel Prize laureates, 17 were Latin American and 5 of them Argentine.
In recognition, the Argentine Republic has declared 2021 as the “YEAR OF TRIBUTE TO THE NOBEL PRIZE OF MEDICINE DR. CÉSAR MILSTEIN”, thus recalling the undeniable role of scientific research as a tool to overcome the pandemic and as a means to achieve recovery, socio-economic development, job creation and equal opportunities. In 1984 Milstein was awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine -along with G. J. Köhler and N. K. Jerne- for his work on immunology and monoclonal antibodies. Dr. Milstein maintained a deep commitment to science and promoted universal access and availability of knowledge for the benefit of society as a whole, renouncing personal economic benefits and rewards. This year marks the 60th anniversary of Dr. Milstein's return to Argentina, when he was appointed Head of the Molecular Biology Department of the Carlos Malbrán National Institute of Microbiology (currently ANLIS).
1984: NOBEL PRIZE IN MEDICINE - César Milstein.
1980: NOBEL PEACE PRIZE - Adolfo Pérez Esquivel.
1970: NOBEL PRIZE IN CHEMISTRY - Luis Federico Leloir.
1947: NOBEL PRIZE IN MEDICINE - Bernardo Alberto Houssay.
1936: NOBEL PEACE PRIZE - Carlos Saavedra Lamas.
We see in each one of them a role model to follow, with a scientific vocation, in Milstein, Leloir and Houssay; and that of dedication to law, search for peace and equality, in Pérez Esquivel and Saavedra Lamas, our Peace Prize Laureates.
MILSTEIN - NOBEL PRIZE IN MEDICINE 1984
César Milstein (1927-2002) was a chemist and Professor at the Faculty of Medicine of Argentina. He graduated as a Bachelor and then a Doctor in Chemistry from the Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences of the University of Buenos Aires. He was then selected as a researcher at the National Institute of Microbiology "Carlos Malbrán", later he traveled with a scholarship to England, to be part of the Medical Center Research in Cambridge. In 1961 he returned to Argentina to head the Malbrán Department of Molecular Biology, therefor we celebrate this year the 60th anniversary of that event. For his research on monoclonal antibodies, he was awarded -along with G. J. Köhler and N. K. Jerne- the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1984. Dr. Milstein maintained a deep commitment to science and promoted universal access and availability of knowledge for the benefit of society as a whole, renouncing personal economic benefits and rewards.
Milstein's legacy transcended the borders of Argentina and his discovery of monoclonal antibodies set a milestone in the history of medicine and influenced various specialties such as immunology, oncology, biotechnology, as well as industry. His work involved the development of innovative drugs, such as those that prevent transplant rejections, passive immunization for the Respiratory Syncytial virus, therapies for asthma and for immune-mediated diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis and Crohn's disease or hidradenitis suppurativa and made it possible to improve survival rates and quality of life for cancer patients.
PÉREZ ESQUIVEL - NOBEL PEACE PRIZE 1980
Adolfo Pérez Esquivel (1931) architect, sculptor, teacher and human rights leader. For his work in defense of human rights relying exclusively on non-violent means through the Servicio Paz y Justicia organization since 1974, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1980. He was a source of inspiration for people repressed in the world and particularly in Latin America
LELOIR - NOBEL PRIZE IN CHEMISTRY 1970
Luis Federico Leloir (1906-1987) was a doctor, biochemist, pharmacist and Professor at the Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences of Argentina. For his research on sugar nucleotides, and the role they play in carbohydrates, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1970.
HOUSSAY - NOBEL PRIZE IN MEDICINE 1947
Bernardo Alberto Houssay (1887-1971) was a doctor, pharmacist and Professor at the Faculty of Medicine of Argentina. For his discoveries on the role played by pituitary hormones in regulating the amount of sugar in the blood (glucose), he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1947, being the first Latin American laureate in Sciences.
SAAVEDRA LAMAS - NOBEL PEACE PRIZE 1936
Carlos Saavedra Lamas (1878-1959) was during the course of his life an outstanding student, lawyer, congressman, Minister of Justice and Public Instruction, Minister of Foreign Affairs and head of the University of Buenos Aires in Argentina. In 1936 he won the Nobel Peace Prize for his peacemaking efforts in the conflict between Paraguay and Bolivia, having inspired the peace agreement that was later named after him: the Saavedra Lamas Pact. He was the first Argentine and the first Latin American to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
