The Nobel Foundation announced the winners of its 2001 Nobel Prize in Physics and Medicine yesterday and Monday.
Americans Eric A. Cornell and Carl E. Wieman won the physics prize, along with Wolfgang Ketterle of Germany, for achieving a state of condensation in dilute gases of alkali atoms predicted by Indian scientist Satyendra Nath Bose and Albert Einstein. Cornell, Wieman and Ketterle were also recognized for early fundamental studies of the properties of the resulting condensates.
The work with ultra-small atoms in an ultra-cold environment created a new state of matter with far-reaching potential for computing, nanotechnology and precision instruments.
American Leland H. Hartwell, as well as R. Timothy Hunt and Paul M. Nurse of Great Britain won the prize in medicine and physiology for their discoveries of 'key regulators of the cell cycle.'
According to a release by the Nobel Foundation, the scientists have identified key molecules that regulate the cell cycle in all eukaryotic organisms, including humans. Defects in cell cycle control may lead to the type of chromosome alterations seen in cancer cells. This may, in the long term, open new possibilities for cancer treatment.
The Nobel Prize is the first international award given yearly since 1901 for achievements in physics, chemistry, medicine, literature and peace. The prize consists of a medal, a personal diploma, and a prize amount. Prizes in literature, economics, peace and chemistry will be announced throughout the week.
