Shimon Sakaguchi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Shimon Sakaguchi
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| 坂口 志文 | |
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| Born | 19 January 1951 Nagahama, Shiga, Japan
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| Education | Kyoto University (MD, PhD) |
| Known for | Regulatory T cells |
| Awards | William B. Coley Award (2004) Crafoord Prize (2017) Robert Koch Prize (2020) Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (2025) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Pathology Immunology |
| Institutions | Osaka University |
Shimon Sakaguchi (坂口 志文, Sakaguchi Shimon, born 19 January 1951) Shimon Sakaguchi is a famous Japanese scientist who studies the immune system. He is known for discovering special cells called regulatory T cells. These cells are like peacekeepers in your body. They help stop your immune system from accidentally attacking your own healthy cells. For this important discovery, he was awarded the 2025 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. He is currently a distinguished professor at Osaka University.
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Who is Shimon Sakaguchi?
Shimon Sakaguchi is a Japanese immunologist. An immunologist is a scientist who studies the immune system. This is your body's amazing defense team. He is a distinguished professor at Osaka University. He is also a professor emeritus of Kyoto University. This means he is a respected former professor there.
Early Life and Education
Shimon Sakaguchi was born on January 19, 1951. His hometown is Nagahama, Shiga, in Japan. He studied at Kyoto University. There, he earned his M.D. (Doctor of Medicine) and Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy) degrees. These are advanced degrees for doctors and researchers.
After his studies in Japan, he traveled to the United States. From 1983 to 1987, he did special research. This is called postdoctoral research. He worked at Johns Hopkins University and Stanford University.
A Career in Science
After his time in the U.S., Dr. Sakaguchi worked as an assistant professor. This was at the Scripps Research Institute. In 1991, he returned to Japan. He became the head of a department in Tokyo. This department focused on immunopathology.
From 1998 to 2011, he was a professor at Kyoto University. He later became the director of an institute there. In 2011, his research lab moved. It found a new home at Osaka University.
Discovering Regulatory T Cells
Dr. Sakaguchi's most important work is about regulatory T cells. He discovered these special cells. He also showed how they work in the immune system. Regulatory T cells are like the police of your immune system. They make sure it doesn't overreact. They stop it from attacking your own healthy body parts. This is called "peripheral immune tolerance." It's how your body learns to tolerate itself.
The Nobel Prize Achievement
On October 6, 2025, Dr. Sakaguchi received a huge honor. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. He shared this prize with Mary E. Brunkow and Fred Ramsdell. They were recognized for their discoveries. Their work helped us understand "peripheral immune tolerance." This is how our bodies keep peace within themselves.
Important Awards and Recognitions
Dr. Shimon Sakaguchi has received many awards. These honors celebrate his important scientific work.
- In 2004, he received the William B. Coley Award.
- In 2017, he was awarded the Crafoord Prize.
- In 2020, he received the Robert Koch Prize.
- In 2019, he was given the Order of Culture. This is a very high honor in Japan.
- And, as you know, in 2025, he received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. This is one of the world's most famous science awards.
See also
In Spanish: Shimon Sakaguchi para niños
