Craig Mello facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Craig Cameron Mello
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Mello in 2014
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| Born | October 18, 1960 |
| Alma mater | Brown University (BS) Harvard University (PhD) |
| Known for | RNA interference |
| Awards | Wiley Prize (2003) NAS Award in Molecular Biology (2003) Massry Prize (2005) Gairdner Foundation International Award (2005) Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (2006) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Biologist |
| Institutions | University of Massachusetts Medical School |
| Academic advisors | Nelson Fausto Susan Gerbi Ken Miller Frank Rothman Victor Ambros Daniel Stinchcomb |
Craig Cameron Mello (born October 18, 1960) is an American biologist. He is a professor of molecular medicine at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. He is known for a huge discovery in how our bodies work.
In 2006, he won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. He shared this award with Andrew Z. Fire. They discovered something called RNA interference. This important research was done at the Carnegie Institution for Science. It was first published in 1998.
Contents
Growing Up: Craig Mello's Early Life
Craig Mello was born in New Haven, Connecticut on October 18, 1960. He was the third child in his family. His father, James Mello, studied ancient life forms as a paleontologist. His mother, Sally Mello, was an artist.
His grandparents on his father's side came to the U.S. from the Azores islands in Portugal. Both of his parents were the first in their families to go to college. Craig's family moved to Fairfax, Virginia, when he was young. This was because his father started working at the Smithsonian Museum.
Family Discussions and School Challenges
Craig remembers going on exciting field trips with his family. They visited places like Colorado and Wyoming. These trips were very special to him.
Dinner time at the Mello home was always full of discussions. Craig learned to argue his points and also to listen. He learned to admit when he was wrong. These talks helped him feel more confident, especially when he was struggling in school.
Craig found school hard in his early years. He started first grade at age five. He often pretended he could read. He preferred playing outside in the woods and creeks. Even though school was tough, he always knew he wanted to be a scientist.
Learning and Discovery: Craig Mello's Education
Craig Mello went to Fairfax High School (Fairfax, Virginia). After high school, he studied biochemistry and molecular biology at Brown University. His teacher, Kenneth Miller, noticed Craig's strong curiosity.
Craig always asked many questions after lectures. He wanted more information and proof for what he learned. He earned his science degree from Brown in 1982.
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He continued his studies at the University of Colorado Boulder. Later, he moved to Harvard University to finish his Ph.D. He completed his doctorate degree in 1990. After that, he worked as a researcher at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.
The Nobel Prize: A Big Discovery
In 2006, Craig Mello and Andrew Fire won the Nobel Prize. Their amazing work started in 1998. They published a paper in the journal Nature. This paper explained their discovery.
They found that tiny pieces of RNA can trick cells. These RNA snippets make the cell destroy specific messages. This stops certain genes from making proteins. It's like turning off a specific light switch in a cell. This process is called RNA interference.
The Nobel Call
Craig Mello shared a funny story about getting the Nobel Prize call. It was early in the morning, around 4:30 AM. His wife told him not to answer the phone. She thought it was a prank call because someone had called earlier saying he won the Nobel Prize.
But Craig knew that Nobel winners were announced that very day. When he told his wife, she was very surprised! He answered the phone, and the voice on the other end told him to get ready. They said his life was about to change.
Why the Discovery Was Important
The Nobel committee said that Mello and Fire discovered a basic way our bodies control genetic information. Their research showed that RNA plays a key role in how genes work.
A scientist named Professor Nick Hastie said their work completely changed how we think about biology. It opened up a whole new area of study. This discovery has been very important for understanding diseases and developing new medicines.
Craig Mello's View on Science
Craig Mello admired and worked with Stephen J. Gould. Gould was a famous scientist who wrote essays about natural history. Craig was inspired by Gould's ideas on science and how we understand the natural world.
Using RNAi in New Technologies
Craig Mello is involved with several companies that use RNAi. These companies develop new technologies based on his discovery. He helped start RXi Pharmaceuticals. This company works on RNAi-based treatments.
He also joined the board of Beeologics. This company focused on using RNAi to help honeybees. They also looked at other uses in animal health and farming. Monsanto later bought Beeologics.
Awards and Special Recognitions
Craig Mello has received many awards for his important work. Here are some of them:
- 2003: Co-recipient of the National Academy of Sciences Award in Molecular Biology.
- 2003: Co-recipient of the Wiley Prize in the Biomedical Sciences.
- 2005: Elected member of the National Academy of Sciences.
- 2005: Co-recipient of Brandeis University's Lewis S. Rosenstiel Award.
- 2005: Co-recipient of the Gairdner Foundation International Award.
- 2005: Co-recipient of the Massry Prize.
- 2006: Co-recipient of the Paul Ehrlich and Ludwig Darmstaedter Prize.
- 2006: First person to receive The Dr. Paul Janssen Award for Biomedical Research.
- 2006: Co-recipient of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.
- 2007: Received an honorary doctorate from Brown University.
- 2007: Received the Golden Plate Award from the American Academy of Achievement.
- 2008: Received an honorary doctorate from Simmons College.
- 2008: Received the Hope Funds Award of Excellence in Basic Research.
See also
In Spanish: Craig C. Mello para niños
