Jackson Laboratory Scientist Awarded Prestigious G.J. Mendel Medal
| Date: July 2002 | 
|
Bar Harbor, Maine - John J. Eppig, Ph.D., of The Jackson Laboratory was awarded the G.J. Mendel Honorary Medal for Merit in the Biological Sciences for his work in reproductive biology at a ceremony held in Cejkovice, the Czech Republic, on June 8, 2002. The award is one of the world's top honors in the biological sciences.
Dr. Eppig joined The Jackson Laboratory in 1975 and is now a senior staff scientist in the areas of developmental and reproductive biology. He achieved the first complete development of mammalian oocytes (precursor egg cells) outside of a body including in vitro follicle development, egg growth and maturation, fertilization, and birth of live young via foster mothers.
He also originated the concept of a "regulatory loop" in which communication between the oocyte and companion granulose cells is essential for normal oocyte and follicle development. A major goal of Dr. Eppig's current research is to define the components of this "regulatory loop" and their mechanisms of action.
The G.J. Mendel Medal, named after the founder of the discipline of genetics Gregor Johann Mendel - was established by the Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences in 1965. The medal has been awarded by the Academy of Science of the Czech Republic since 1993 in recognition of outstanding contributions in the biological and agricultural sciences.
Previous winners of the G.J. Mendel Memorial Medal have included George Snell, Ph.D., the Jackson Laboratory scientist whose research into the role of genetics in immunology paved the way for modern organ transplants, and James D. Watson, Ph.D., for his ground-breaking influence in uncovering the structure of DNA. (Snell and Watson were also awarded the Nobel Prize.)
Contact(s): Jade Harmer, 207-288 6051, jade@jax.org
Joyce Peterson, 207-288 6058, joyce@jax.org
For information on automatic email delivery of news releases (journalists only), please send an email request for details to news@jax.org.
Media Relations, Communications Office
The Jackson Laboratory
600 Main Street
Bar Harbor, Maine 04609-1500
Phone: 207-288-6051
Fax: 207-288-6076
Email: news@jax.org
