Tomorrow in New York City, two retired University of Toronto professors will be awarded the 2005 Albert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research. Professors emeritus James Till and Ernest McCulloch will receive what is known as “America’s Nobel Prize” for discovering the first stem cell four decades ago. Their work reinvented a discipline and is the basis of today’s stem cell research, which has the potential to treat Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, spinal injuries, diabetes, and other afflictions. The professors have received a great deal of praise since the award was announced, including congratulations from Ujjal Dosanjh, Canada’s Minister of Health.
