Prof. Brian K. Kobilka, the Nobel Prize winner, visiting EHTIC

The American physician and biochemist, the winner of the 2012 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, accompanied by his wife Tong Sun, came to Poland at the invitation of the Silesian University of Technology in connection with the award of the highest academic honour of our University, the Doctor Honoris Causa.

Professor Brian Kobilka is the 54th Doctor Honoris Causa of the Silesian University of Technology and at the same time the first Nobel Prize winner. He shared the 2012 prize with Robert Lefkowitz for his research on G protein-coupled receptors, which has led to significant advances in cell biology and medicine. It is estimated that Professor Brian Kobilka’s discovery is used in around 40% of medicines produced today.

It is an honour that our centre was one of the many highlights of the visit to Silesia.

The short but intensive visit included a multimedia presentation, a demonstration of selected laboratories, and the placement of a commemorative photo of Prof Brian Kobilka on our famous “Distinguished for Science” plaque in the main hall of the EHTIC.

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