Professor Yoshinori Ohsumi at the 2012 Kyoto Prize Presentation Ceremony

The Presentation Ceremony of the 2012 Kyoto Prize was held on November 10 at the Kyoto International Conference Center. The Kyoto Prize is an annual international award presented to honor those who have contributed significantly to the scientific, cultural and spiritual betterment of mankind. This year Professor Yoshinori Ohsumi of the Frontier Research Center won the Kyoto Prize in Basic Sciences.

Reason for award

"Outstanding Contribution to Elucidating the Molecular Mechanisms and Physiological Significance of Autophagy, a Cellular Adaptive System to Environment"
Dr. Ohsumi has achieved world-leading results in his genetic study of autophagy in yeast, a cellular process that degrades proteins in order to adapt to the nutritional environment and other factors. He has made groundbreaking contributions toward elucidating of the molecular mechanisms of autophagy and its physiological significance.

Professor Yoshinori Ohsumi at The 2012 Kyoto Prize Presentation Ceremony

©Inamori Foundation 2012

Prof. Yoshinori Ohsumi with Dr. Ivan Edward Sutherland and Prof. Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak, who also received awards

©Inamori Foundation 2012