Professor Sir Ed Southern, founder of Oxford Gene Technology (OGT), a provider of innovative
clinical genetics and diagnostic solutions to advance molecular medicine, has been awarded the 2011 Medical Research Council (MRC)
Millennium Medal. Sir Ed becomes one of only four researchers to have received
the prize since it was inaugurated in the year 2000, which recognises an
MRC-funded scientist whose outstanding research has made a major contribution
towards the health and wealth of our society. Described by Professor Anthony
Hamilton, vice-chancellor of the University of Oxford, as a "scientist,
innovator, entrepreneur and philanthropist", Sir Ed's work developing the
technology underpinning modern DNA microarrays, has "transformed healthcare and
improved the lives of many patients" according to MRC chief executive Sir John
Savill.
Upon receiving the MRC Millennium Medal, Sir Ed said: "I am
greatly thankful for the support of the Medical Research Council. The MRC has
very high standards, and to be funded by them is a commendation in itself." Sir
Ed has made major contributions to the field of DNA research, and in 1975
invented a revolutionary technique for identifying whether specific sequences
are contained in a sample of DNA, which became known subsequently as the
‘Southern Blot'. Commenting on Sir Ed's pioneering work, Sir John Savill
suggested that "without the blotting technique, so many other discoveries and
advances would not have been made." A second invention, based on the attachment
of a multitude of specific DNA probes to a solid substrate, laid the groundwork
for the development of modern DNA microarrays, which allow the entire human
genome to be investigated quickly and easily. This approach has many
applications in genomic research, clinical diagnosis and drug discovery, and
has subsequently spawned an industry worth billions of pounds.
In 1995, Sir Ed founded the biotechnology company OGT, with the
mission of developing advanced molecular tools for biologists. By leveraging its world class expertise in microarray
technology and genomic data analysis, the company provides high quality
products and services for use in
cytogenetics research, genome wide association studies and copy number variation (CNV)
detection. The
company has also recently invested in developing a
targeted sequencing
service and a
novel biomarker discovery platform that uses protein-based array
technology. By combining these research solutions, customers have access to a
complete genomic analysis and biomarker discovery toolkit that provides high
quality data using independently accredited laboratory procedures. In addition
to holding the roles of Chairman and Chief Scientific Officer, Sir Ed also
leads OGT's Exploratory Research group which seeks to provide innovative
solutions to scientific problems,
including single cell analysis, single molecule imaging and cancer mutation
screening. Sir Ed has also established
two charities: the
Kirkhouse Trust which works to improve
crops in semi-arid regions of East and West Africa; and the
Edina
Trust
which promotes and funds science in schools.
For more information about
OGT visit the new OGT website at
www.ogt.co.uk. More information on Sir Ed's Charities
can be found at
www.kirkhousetrust.org and
www.edinatrust.org.uk.
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