Renowned Scientist Gokhan S. Hotamisligil, MD, PhD, Receives 9th Danone International Prize for Nutrition

SAN DIEGO, April 29, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Danone Institute International announced today that prominent scientist Gokhan S. Hotamisligil, MD, PhD, is the recipient of the 9^th Danone International Prize for Nutrition for his outstanding research in immunology and metabolic diseases.

Dr. Hotamisligil is Chair of Harvard University's School of Public Health Department of Genetics and Complex Diseases and James S. Simmons Professor of Genetics and Metabolism. He is an internationally recognized leader in nutrition science, and through his discoveries he has generated major insights about the underlying causes that lead to obesity, diabetes, and atherosclerosis. 

"Dr. Hotamisligil is leading a major advancement in nutrition science, and his powerful work links the molecular mechanisms behind nutritional and metabolic issues that threaten human health," said Raanan Shamir, MD, President of the Danone Institute International.

Dr. Hotamisligil made the first observations and original studies that led to the field of "immunometabolism," which is a concept that links immunology and metabolism.  His major research interests include the study of regulatory pathways, which control glucose and lipid metabolism and how these pathways are integrated with immune and stress responses.  Most recently, he is pursuing molecular targets of nutrients that are important in inflammatory and stress signaling pathways and exploring how metabolic homeostasis is regulated.

According to the World Health Organization, at least 2.8 million people worldwide die each year as a result of being overweight or obese.  Additionally, obesity leads to adverse metabolic effects on blood pressure, cholesterol, triglycerides and insulin resistance, increasing the risk for diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and many other adverse conditions. Dr. Hotamisligil's discoveries may help lead to novel preventive and therapeutic treatments for metabolic diseases globally.

"I hope that this award will allow me to further bring light to the dangerous ramifications of metabolic disease on the body's immune system," said Dr. Hotamisligil. "This important recognition will allow me to expand my research and I hope to contribute to the effort to curb the pandemic of chronic metabolic diseases."

The Danone International Prize for Nutrition

Danone Institute International, a not-for-profit organization, presents the Danone International Prize for Nutrition, with the support of the French "Fondation pour la Recherche Médicale," every two years.

Established to reward excellence and advancement in nutrition, this prize is given in the spirit of very distinguished scientific Prizes to recognize a single researcher or a research team that is leading a major advancement in nutrition science, including new concepts and research fields with potential application for human diet and health.

Laureates are chosen after an independent, international and consultative selection procedure that guarantees transparency and objectivity, and are awarded €120 000 in recognition of published scientific contributions.

More information: www.danoneinstitute.org

SOURCE Danone Institute International