Noboru Mizushima

Noboru Mizushima is a Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Tokyo, recognized for his pioneering research on autophagy, a critical cellular process for degrading and recycling components. He earned his Ph.D. in 1996 from Tokyo Medical and Dental University and began his research on autophagy in yeast under the guidance of Nobel Laureate Yoshinori Ohsumi. Mizushima's work has significantly advanced the understanding of the physiological roles and molecular mechanisms of autophagy in mammals, including the discovery of key autophagy-related proteins and the regulation of autophagic processes by nutrient availability. His influential publications include seminal articles in high-impact journals such as Nature and EMBO Journal, with his landmark paper on LC3 localization in autophagosomes cited over 3,800 times. He has been awarded numerous accolades, including the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2016 and the Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences in 2017. Mizushima has established various autophagy-related mouse models to study the implications of autophagy in health and disease, contributing to potential therapeutic strategies for conditions like cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. His extensive research has been recognized globally, making him a leading figure in the field of cell biology and a key contributor to our understanding of autophagy's role in cellular homeostasis and survival.