The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for 2025 has been awarded to Mary E. Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell, and Dr. Shimon Sakaguchi for their pioneering discoveries related to the immune system’s regulation. Their work has transformed our understanding of how the body’s immune system differentiates between harmful invaders and its own cells, a key factor in preventing autoimmune diseases like Type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus, reports AP.
The trio’s groundbreaking research focused on regulatory T cells (T-regs), which act as a biological safeguard, preventing the immune system from attacking the body’s tissues. The discovery of these cells and their role in peripheral immune tolerance has opened new avenues for treating autoimmune diseases and improving organ transplant success.
Working independently in the United States and Japan, the three scientists identified the importance of T-regs in immune regulation. In 1995, Dr. Shimon Sakaguchi discovered these T-cells in mice, leading to the realization that immune cells could be controlled even after they left the thymus. Later, in 2001, Brunkow and Ramsdell, working together at a biotech company, identified a mutation in the Foxp3 gene in mice, which was linked to autoimmune diseases. This gene was found to be crucial for the development of T-regs.
Sakaguchi’s subsequent research in 2003 established that the Foxp3 gene controlled the development of regulatory T cells, completing the puzzle of how the immune system stays in check. These discoveries have become foundational in immunology, leading to new approaches for treating autoimmune diseases, enhancing organ transplant success, and boosting the body’s defenses against cancer.
The award committee, chaired by Olle Kämpe, called the laureates' discoveries "decisive" for understanding how the immune system functions and how autoimmune diseases are prevented. The American Association of Immunologists described their work as having "fundamentally reshaped our understanding of immune balance."
The Nobel Prize ceremony will take place on December 10, with the trio sharing a prize of 11 million Swedish kronor (approximately $1.2 million).
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
