LMB / Achievements / Awards & Prizes / Nobel Prizes

Nobel Prizes

The work of LMB scientists has been awarded 12 Nobel prizes, shared among 16 individuals. Nine prizes have been awarded in the field of chemistry, and three in the field of physiology or medicine. These prizes recognise the global impact the LMB has made in advancing fundamental scientific knowledge and pioneering techniques for molecular biology.

Greg Winter

2018 Chemistry Prize for the phage display of peptides and antibodies.

Richard Henderson

2017 Chemistry Prize for developing cryo-electron microscopy for the high-resolution structure determination of biomolecules in solution.

Michael Levitt

2013 Chemistry Prize for the development of multiscale models for complex chemical systems.

Venki Ramakrishnan

2009 Chemistry Prize for studies of the structure and function of the ribosome.

Sydney Brenner, Bob Horvitz and John Sulston

2002 Physiology or Medicine Prize for their discoveries concerning the ‘genetic regulation or organ development and programmed cell death’ in C. elegans.

John Walker

1997 Chemistry Prize for the elucidation of the enzymatic mechanism underlying the synthesis of adenosine triphosphate (ATP).

César Milstein and Georges Köhler

1984 Physiology or Medicine Prize for theories concerning the specificity in control and development of the immune system and the discovery of the principle for production of monoclonal antibodies.

Aaron Klug

1982 Chemistry Prize for his development of crystallographic electron microscopy and his structural elucidation of biologically important nucleic acid-protein complexes.

Fred Sanger

1980 Chemistry Prize for contributions concerning the determination of base sequences in nucleic acids.

John Kendrew and Max Perutz

1962 Chemistry Prize for their studies of the structures of globular proteins.

Francis Crick and James Watson

1962 Physiology or Medicine Prize for their discoveries concerning the molecular structure of nucleic acids and its significance for information transfer in living material.

Fred Sanger

1958 Chemistry Prize for his work on the structure of proteins, especially that of insulin.

Nobel Prize Parties

Since 1962, when the LMB received two Nobel prizes in one year, it has been tradition to hold Lab-wide celebrations when an LMB researcher is recognised by the Nobel Foundation, acknowledging the collaborative support which underpins these award-winning discoveries. These events are fondly remembered by past and present members of the LMB. Photos from these Nobel prize parties are held by the LMB Archive.

John Walker stood on a chair making a speech. Beside him are stood Aaron Klug, Fred Sanger and César Milstein
Aaron Klug, Fred Sanger, César Milstein and John Walker, 1997
Sydney Brenner and Francis Crick stood in a kitchen
Sydney Brenner and Francis Crick, 1962 ©Hans Boye/MRC LMB
Venki Ramakrishnan signing a champagne bottle for Jenny Brightwell
Venki Ramakrishnan and Jenny Brightwell, 2009
Fred Sanger, centre, looking at Sydney Brenner, right, who is wearing a party hat and holding a party streamer. To the left, people stand holding wine glasses
Hugh Huxley, Fred Sanger and Sydney Brenner, 1980
Mike Fuller stood behind a trolley of several empty champagne bottles
Mike Fuller, 2009
Richard Henderson holding a champagne glass aloft, stood in front of a large gathering of LMB celebrators
2017 Nobel Party
John Walker, Bob Sulston, Richard Henderson and Venki Ramakrishnan
John Walker, John Sulston, Richard Henderson and Venki Ramakrishnan, 2017
Mike Fuller holding a champagne bottle with many glasses waiting to be filled. Across the table, Liebe Klug holds a glass of champagne and Aaron Klug reaches for a glass which is spilling over
Mike Fuller, Liebe Klug and Aaron Klug, 1982
Display of seven Nobel Prize medals in front of champagne bottles signed by winners
Getting Nobel Prize winners to sign champagne bottles is a favourite LMB tradition
Andrew McKenzie speaking to Greg Winter, both hold champagne glasses
Greg Winter and Andrew McKenzie, 2018
Max Perutz
Max Perutz, 1962 ©Hans Boye/MRC LMB
Hugh Pelham, Greg Winter and Venki Ramakrishnan holding champagne glasses aloft
Hugh Pelham, Greg Winter and Venki Ramakrishnan, 2009
Three scientists in a laboratory setting.
Aaron Klug, Venki Ramakrishnan and John Walker, 2009
Fred Sanger with Joan Steitz, who is carrying a baby, and Tom Steitz
Fred Sanger, Joan Steitz and Tom Stetiz, 1980
Venki Ramakrishnan opening a bottle of champagne, stood in front of a large crowd of people holding glasses aloft
César Milstein, Aaron Klug, John Walker and Fred Sanger stood in the LMB canteen
César Milstein, Aaron Klug, John Walker and Fred Sanger, 1997
John Walker stood on a chair making a speech. Beside him are stood Aaron Klug, Fred Sanger and César MilsteinSydney Brenner and Francis Crick stood in a kitchenVenki Ramakrishnan signing a champagne bottle for Jenny BrightwellFred Sanger, centre, looking at Sydney Brenner, right, who is wearing a party hat and holding a party streamer. To the left, people stand holding wine glassesMike Fuller stood behind a trolley of several empty champagne bottlesRichard Henderson holding a champagne glass aloft, stood in front of a large gathering of LMB celebratorsJohn Walker, Bob Sulston, Richard Henderson and Venki RamakrishnanMike Fuller holding a champagne bottle with many glasses waiting to be filled. Across the table, Liebe Klug holds a glass of champagne and Aaron Klug reaches for a glass which is spilling overDisplay of seven Nobel Prize medals in front of champagne bottles signed by winnersAndrew McKenzie speaking to Greg Winter, both hold champagne glassesMax PerutzHugh Pelham, Greg Winter and Venki Ramakrishnan holding champagne glasses aloftThree scientists in a laboratory setting.Fred Sanger with Joan Steitz, who is carrying a baby, and Tom SteitzVenki Ramakrishnan opening a bottle of champagne, stood in front of a large crowd of people holding glasses aloftCésar Milstein, Aaron Klug, John Walker and Fred Sanger stood in the LMB canteen
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Annual LMB Prizes

Each year in October, the LMB Symposium (known as “Lab Talks”) concludes with the awarding of prizes to PhD students, postdocs and support staff who have excelled at the LMB.

Max Perutz Student Prize

Given for outstanding work performed prior to the award of a PhD

Joan A. Steitz Postdoc Prize

In recognition of remarkable research accomplished by a postdoc

Eileen Southgate Staff Prize

Recognises technicians, support staff and other members of the LMB for exceptional performances

Royal Society Awards & Honours

EMBO Awards & Honours

Other Notable Awards