NOBEL PRIZE IN PHYSIOLOGY OR MEDICINE 2025

Current Context: : The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2025 has been awarded to Mary E. Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell (USA), and Shimon Sakaguchi (Japan) for their groundbreaking discoveries on peripheral immune tolerance — how the immune system distinguishes between harmful invaders and the body’s own cells.

ABOUT THE DISCOVERY

• Focus Area: The peripheral immune system, which operates outside the brain and spinal cord.
• Major Findings:
  • 1995: Sakaguchi discovered Regulatory T-cells (Tregs) — immune cells that prevent the body from attacking itself.
  • 2001: Brunkow and Ramsdell identified the FOXP3 gene, responsible for autoimmune diseases like IPEX.
  • The FOXP3 gene was later proven essential for Treg development.
• Significance:
  • Cancer Research: Helps design immunotherapies to stop tumors from escaping immune detection.
  • Autoimmune & Transplant Care: Enables new treatments to prevent immune rejection and manage autoimmune diseases.