Takashi Sugimura facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Takashi Sugimura
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| Born | April 20, 1926 Tokyo, Japan
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| Died | September 6, 2020 (aged 94) |
| Alma mater | University of Tokyo |
| Known for | Carcinogenesis |
| Awards | Charles S. Mott Prize (1981) Japan Prize (1997) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Biochemistry Cancer Research |
| Institutions | National Cancer Center University of Tokyo Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research |
Takashi Sugimura (杉村 隆, Sugimura Takashi, April 20, 1926 – September 6, 2020) was a very important Japanese scientist. He was a biochemist, which means he studied the chemistry of living things. Dr. Sugimura was famous for his research on how certain chemicals can cause cancer. He received the Japan Prize for his big contributions. This award recognized his work in helping us understand what causes cancer. He also served as the President of the Japan Academy.
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His Big Discoveries
Dr. Sugimura found and identified many special substances. These substances are called mutagens and they can change our DNA. He found them in foods that are cooked in everyday ways. He showed that these mutagens could cause tumors (growths) to form. These tumors then had changes in their genes.
He continued his studies to understand how cancer develops step-by-step. He looked at this process at a tiny, molecular level. His goal was to help prevent cancer more effectively. His team also discovered a new polymer called poly(ADP-ribose). They also found an enzyme called poly ADP ribose polymerase (PARP). This enzyme helps create poly(ADP-ribose).
Dr. Sugimura also discovered another enzyme, poly(ADP-ribose) glycohydrolase (PARG). This enzyme breaks down poly(ADP-ribose). Understanding these enzymes helped scientists learn more about how cells work. He also found pierisin, a special peptide that affects DNA. This discovery showed his great scientific curiosity.
About Takashi Sugimura
Takashi Sugimura finished his medical degree in 1949. He earned it from the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Tokyo. He then received his Doctor of Medical Science degree in 1957 from the same university.
After some research at the Cancer Institute, he became the Chief of Biochemistry Division. This was at the Research Institute, National Cancer Center in Tokyo in 1962. He later served as the President of the National Cancer Center from 1984 to 1991.
He was also a Professor at the Institute of Medical Science. This was part of the University of Tokyo from 1970 to 1985. Later, he was the President of Toho University from 1994 to 2000. He was also an Honorary Member of the Japanese Cancer Association. He was President Emeritus of the National Cancer Center.
Awards and Honors
Dr. Sugimura received many important awards and honors. These recognized his amazing work in science.
Special Awards
- 1976 Imperial Prize of the Japan Academy
- 1977 Fogarty Scholar in Residence, National Institutes of Health, USA
- 1978 Outstanding Work Award, Environmental Mutagen Society of the United States
- 1981 Order of Culture
- 1981 Charles S. Mott Prize
- 1992 Tomizo Yoshida Award of the Japanese Cancer Association
- 1996 National Order of Merit (France) (Officer)
- 1997 Japan Prize
Important Recognitions
- 1982 Foreign Associate, the National Academy of Sciences, USA
- 1982 Member, the Japan Academy
- 1987 Foreign Member, the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (Division for Sciences)
- 1987 Foreign Member, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences (Class for Medical Sciences)
- 1994 Foreign Associate, the Institute of Medicine, National Academy of Sciences, USA
See also
- List of members of the National Academy of Sciences (Medical genetics, hematology, and oncology)
