Yoshinori Ohsumi

Yoshinori Ohsumi is an esteemed Honorary Professor at the Cell Biology Center, Institute of Innovative Research at Tokyo Institute of Technology, recognized for his groundbreaking work in elucidating the mechanisms of autophagy, a vital cellular process for degrading and recycling components. He received his Doctor of Science in Physiology from the University of Tokyo in 1972 and has been a prominent figure in cell biology since he began his research on yeast autophagy in the early 1990s. His pioneering studies led to the discovery of key autophagy genes, significantly advancing our understanding of this fundamental biological process. Ohsumi's contributions have earned him numerous prestigious awards, including the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2016, the Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences in 2017, and the International Prize for Biology in 2015. His influential publications have appeared in top-tier journals such as Nature and Science, and his research has profound implications for understanding diseases associated with dysfunctional autophagy, including cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. Through his work, Ohsumi has inspired a new wave of research into autophagy, making him a leading figure in modern cell biology and a mentor to many young scientists in the field.