Nobel Media and AstraZeneca bring Nobel Laureate to Manchester

On Wednesday 1^st December, an initiative between Nobel Media, the company managing the official Nobel Prize media portfolio and pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca, is giving staff and students at The University of Manchester the rare opportunity to meet and learn from a Nobel Prize awarded scientist, Dr. Tim Hunt.

In this unprecedented event, 2001 Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine, Dr. Tim Hunt will give a lecture at The University of Manchester, entitled ‘Lessons from a life in science’.  In the lecture, Dr. Hunt will recount how he chooses his research topics, how he comes upon their solutions, “often more by luck than full-frontal attack”, and offer his personal perspectives on conducting Nobel Prize awarded research.  The lecture is followed by an open question and answer session.   In addition, he will host a roundtable meeting with selected students entitled ‘How to be Curious and Creative’.  On 2^nd December, Dr. Hunt will give a further lecture to scientists at AstraZeneca’s research and development facility at Alderley Park, Cheshire.

The event is part of the AstraZeneca Nobel Medicine Initiative, a global co-operation between Nobel Media and AstraZeneca to bring the inspiring achievements from the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine to the general public.  This is the first in a series of lectures which will take place around AstraZeneca’s leading research facilities globally, aimed at inspiring the scientific community and others through sharing Nobel Prize awarded achievements and demonstrating how such discoveries are critical to advancing understanding of how the human body works.

Journalists will also be provided with the opportunity to ask questions about the initiative to Dr.  Hunt as well as representatives of Nobel Media, AstraZeneca, and The University of Manchester.  Journalists can also attend the lecture by arrangement, for more information on media opportunities, please contact: Merci Olsson, +46 738 52 35 95.

Dr. Tim Hunt, 2001 Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine, commented:

‘“I am thrilled to have been asked to open this special lecture series in Manchester and I’m excited about talking to scientists at the University.  This region is a vibrant scientific centre in the UK, and I hope we can help to inspire the next generation of young scientists to make important scientific and medical breakthroughs in the future.  I am very proud to be participating in the AstraZeneca Nobel Medicine Initiative here in the North West.”.

Camilla Hyltén-Cavallius, CEO of Nobel Media, said:

“In addition to interactive educational content and TV documentaries related to the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, we are delighted that the AstraZenenca Nobel Medicine Initiative lectures bring students and the scientific community into close contact with Nobel Laureates.”

Susan Galbraith, Vice President and Head of Oncology, Innovative Medicines, based at Alderley Park, said:

‘As a leading research based company with a major presence here in the North West, AstraZeneca is committed to supporting Nobel Media’s educational mission through this lecture programme.  Our goal is increase the public’s awareness of the significance of innovation and cutting edge science, and this event is great opportunity to inspire and motivate the local scientific community.

The lectures are one component of a broader programme of activity as part of the AstraZeneca Nobel Medicine Initiative, which also includes online educational productions including a Nobel Prize Narrative, and a series of TV documentaries about Physiology or Medicine.  For more information on the initiative, please visit http://www.astrazeneca.com/Research/news/Article/AstraZeneca-Nobel-Medicine-Initiative.

Notes to Editors:

About Dr. Tim Hunt

Dr. Tim Hunt was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2001 for discoveries around key regulators of the cell cycle in cancer, while working for the Imperial Cancer Research Fund in London.   For more information about Dr. Tim Hunt, please visit: http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/medicine/laureates/2001/hunt.html.

About Nobel Media AB

Nobel Media AB aims to spread knowledge and interest in the Nobel Prize awarded achievements to a global audience, through digital and broadcast media, publishing and events. Included in Nobel Media’s portfolio is Nobelprize.org, the official web site of the Nobel Prize, which currently receives over 40 million visitors. Production of official television programs consists of The Nobel Prize Award Ceremonies in Stockholm and Oslo, The Nobel Banquet, Nobel Documentaries, Nobel Minds, Nobel Laureates and the Nobel Prize Concert. Through these programs,over 250 million viewers are reached all over the world.

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About AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca is a global, innovation-driven biopharmaceutical business with a primary focus on the discovery, development and commercialisation of prescription medicines. As a leader in gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, neuroscience, respiratory and inflammation, oncology and infectious disease medicines, AstraZeneca generated global revenues of US $32.8 billion in 2009.  For more information please visit: www.astrazeneca.com