Satoshi Omura took advantage of the power of nature against dangerous diseases – Gazeta Wyborcza

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Satoshi Omura, 2015 Nobel laureate in physiology and medicine, is a master in the use of compounds produced by microorganisms in the fight against parasitic diseases that afflict humans.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                          
 

                 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

         

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Satoshi Omura together with William C. Campbell received the Nobel Prize in 2015 for discoveries concerning new methods of treatment of infections caused by parasitic nematodes, in particular - for discovery of drugs from the group avermectins, which have found use in the treatment of serious diseases caused by parasitic nematodes such as elephantiasis, or river blindness. The prize also honored Tu Youyou for discoveries concerning new ways of treating malaria.

Although Omura is regarded worldwide as a leading expert in the field of bioorganic chemistry and macrolide antibiotics, there is a very humble man. The best reflects the fact that asked to comment for the Nobel Prize, which he received on Monday, admitted he did not know whether it deserves. In an interview with Japan's NHK television said: "I have learned so much from microorganisms and I depend upon them, which is why it is rather the przyznałbym this award."

"This field of research is rather unnoticed, and yet microbes are extremely important for people. They can be our partners. I hope that this area of ​​science will gain more attention because of this award and that it will be able to continue helping people "- he rated Japanese Nobel Prize winner.

Having worked for many years in the Kitasato Institute in Tokyo, Omura developed original methods for the isolation and cultivation of microorganisms (especially present in the soil) so that they discovered as many as 13 new genera and 42 new species. This allowed him to also discover more than 470 produced by organic compounds, many of which have a unique structure and biological activity. Among them, 26 a substance (or derivatives thereof), which are now widely used as drugs in the treatment of serious human diseases, the treatment of animals, agriculture, and also as reagents in biochemical studies.

Among discovered by him and his team of a substance is, among others, Cerulenin, produced by fungi of the genus Acremonium caerulens. It is the first known inhibitor of lipid biosynthesis, which became the starting point for creating popular today, cholesterol-lowering drugs - statins.

On the other hand, the discovery by Omura inhibtora kinase C - staurospaurine - has stimulated research into developing new anticancer drugs such as imatinib (Glivec famous), which changed the fate of patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia. Among other compounds discovered and studied by the Nobel Prize winner may be mentioned lactacystin and herbimycin, which are inhibitors of the proteasome and chaperone Hsp90. This has helped to develop a drug called bortezomib for multiple myeloma (one of the most common hematologic malignancies).

The discovery in 1978. by Omura avermectin - macrolide antibiotic produced by soil bacteria Streptomyces avermectinius - led to develop, in collaboration with William C. Campbell, ivermectin. It was first used in animals but quickly found out that it is effective in combating serious diseases caused by parasitic nematodes - river blindness and elephantiasis, which suffers a total of one-seventh of the world's population. Today, the drug receives approx. 300 million people a year. Thanks to the WHO predicts that elimination of river blindness will be possible by 2025., And elephantiasis 2020.

Omura was born in 1935. In Yamanashi Prefecture in Japan. In 1963. He graduated from the Tokyo Science University, five years later earned a doctorate in pharmacy, and two years later a PhD chemistry.

As early as in 1965. He began working in the Kitasato Institute, initially as a researcher. Over the years he was in this facility various positions until in the 90s he became its Director. He is currently a professor emeritus.

He has received numerous awards and honors (including the Gold Medal them. Robert Koch), author or co-author of scientific papers and books, and a member of several prestigious scientific institutions, including the European Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Sciences.

Omura play golf (at a soil sample from one of golf courses found bacteria that produce avermectin) runs for skiing, there is also an art lover - is engaged in calligraphy, he opened his own art museum in his hometown, also serves as Joshibi director of the University of Art and Design.

         

         

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