Chief Scientist of Australia » Nobel Prize

Professor Sackett and Professor Elizabeth Blackburn speak to Win News about the future of Australian science

RRichter — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 01:47:55 +0000

On February 16, Australia’s Chief Scientist, Professor Penny Sackett and Professor Elizabeth Blackburn, Australia’s first female Nobel Laureate discussed the future of Australian science with Win News.

Australia’s Chief Scientist welcomes and congratulates Australia’s first female Nobel Laureate

RRichter — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 22:25:08 +0000

The Prime Minister, the Hon Kevin Rudd; Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator the Hon Kim Carr and Professor Sackett will recognise and celebrate Professor Blackburn’s remarkable achievements including her recent Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine 2009.

“It is a great honour to have Professor Blackburn with us in Australia. Through her work the world understands better how DNA is protected during replication, how cells age, and new paths to follow for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

“Professor Blackburn is an inspiration to all Australian scientists, as well as young Australians considering a science-related career,” Professor Sackett said.

Questacon’s Excited Particles will be working with the Prime Minister, Senator Carr, Professor Blackburn, Professor Sackett and local students to illustrate Professor Blackburn’s pioneering research on how genetic information is protected within cells.

“It will be great to be able to participate in some fun activities aimed at helping all of us understand Professor Blackburn’s ground-breaking discoveries, which have opened up new areas of research on how cells grow, age and become cancerous,” Professor Sackett said.

Photo and Interview Opportunities

Date: Tuesday 16 February 2010

Time: 9:45am for 10am start

Where: Questacon, King Edward Terrace, Canberra

Opportunities: Photo opportunities will be available during the event. At conclusion of the event, Professor Blackburn and Professor Sackett will be available for interview and further photos

Click here to download media release

Media contact: Rebecca Richter, Office of the Chief Scientist, 0410 029 407

Australia’s Chief Scientist congratulates Australian Nobel Prize winner Elizabeth Blackburn

RRichter — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 05:15:46 +0000

Chief Scientist for Australia, Professor Penny D Sackett, congratulates Australia’s 11th and first female Nobel prize winner, molecular biologist Elizabeth Blackburn.

“My congratulations go to Professor Blackburn and her colleagues for their great collaborative work that has resulted in an important discovery that may lead to the development of new treatments for cancer and other diseases,” Professor Sackett said.

Professor Blackburn, who was born in Tasmania, was awarded the 2009 Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine, along with her colleagues in the United States Carol Greider and Jack Szostak for the discovery of how chromosomes are protected by telomeres (the protective caps on the ends of chromosomes), and the enzyme telomerase (which makes telomere DNA).

These discoveries have direct implications on the understanding of cell growth and the mechanism of diseases such as cancer. They have also stimulated the development of potential new treatments for cancer and other diseases.

“Winning the 2009 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine is a great acknowledgement for the lifetime of research Professor Blackburn and her colleagues have undertaken.

“Her achievement provides inspiration for all aspiring and practicing scientists in Australia, particularly women who can face special challenges in pursuing a scientific career,” Professor Sackett said.

Click here to download media release

Media Contact: Rebecca Richter, Office of the Chief Scientist
Mobile: 0410 029 407