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Inamori Foundation Presents 22nd Annual Kyoto Prizes for Lifetime Achievements in Technology, Science, and the Arts American Biotechnology Pioneer, Japanese Statistical Mathematician and Japanese Designer recognized for bettering humanity KYOTO, JAPAN – November 10, 2006 – The Inamori Foundation (President: Dr. Kazuo Inamori) today presented its 22nd Annual Kyoto Prizes. Considered among the world's leading awards for lifetime achievement, the Kyoto Prizes are presented annually to individuals and groups worldwide who have contributed significantly to human progress in the areas of "Advanced Technology," "Basic Sciences," and "Arts and Philosophy." Amid the grandeur of the Kyoto International Conference Hall and Japan's Imperial family, each laureate received a Kyoto Prize diploma, a medal of 20-karat gold, and a cash gift of 50 million yen (approximately US$425,000) during today's prize ceremony, with workshops and lectures continuing through November 12. In addition, the laureates will convene in San Diego, Calif., March 14-16, 2007, for the sixth annual Kyoto Laureate Symposium at San Diego State University; the University of California, San Diego; and the University of San Diego. This year's Kyoto Prize laureates are U.S. immunologist and geneticist Dr. Leonard A. Herzenberg, of Stanford, California; Japanese statistical mathematician Dr. Hirotugu Akaike, of Tokyo; and Japanese designer Issey Miyake, an artist whose innovative creations transcend time, culture and social status, also of Tokyo. Advanced Technology The 2006 Kyoto Prize in Advanced Technology, chosen from the field of Biotechnology and Medical Technology, was presented to Dr. Leonard A. Herzenberg, 75, a professor of genetics and immunology at Stanford University. Dr. Herzenberg was honored for his outstanding contributions to the life sciences and clinical medicine, through his work in developing the Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorter (FACS), a type of flow cytometer that has had a profound impact on medical science, diagnostics and the field of regenerative medicine. Understanding the need for an instrument that could sort viable cells by their properties and allow him to continue investigating the functions of lymphocytes, T-cells and B-cells specifically, Dr. Herzenberg assembled and deployed a team of engineers, physicists and computer scientists to create the first FACS prototype in the late 1960s. This early instrument, based on a modified particle separator that had been developed at Los Alamos National Laboratory, became the first in the world to successfully sort fluorescent-labeled cells that were still functional after sorting. The team continued improving the model and successfully built a commercial version in 1969 with cooperation from a medical products company, which has subsequently manufactured and distributed FACS systems throughout the world, with 30,000 in existence today. By incorporating fluorescent-labeled monoclonal antibodies specific to cell surface antigens, this technique has facilitated dramatic progress in the life sciences, becoming instrumental in investigating HIV infection and classifying leukemia and other tumors. The arrival of this groundbreaking flow cytometer made it possible to rapidly count and sort cells with specific attributes, and isolate and analyze DNA, RNA, and protein from a single cell in a viable condition. More recently, FACS has been applied not only to genomic science research - specific chromosomes have been separated from cells to allow the construction of a DNA library from each chromosome - but also to proteomic analysis of specific cells, thereby underpinning the continuous progress of post-genomic research. Many of today's promising life-science disciplines would remain undeveloped without FACS technology, underscoring its monumental impact on the fields of biotechnology and medical technology. Basic Sciences The 2006 Kyoto Prize in Basic Sciences, chosen from the field of Mathematical Science, was presented to Dr. Hirotugu Akaike, 79, a professor emeritus at the Institute of Statistical Mathematics in Tokyo. Dr. Akaike received the award for his contributions to statistical science and modeling through his development of the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC). Globalization and "informatization" have resulted in the development of strong global links that transform the world into a huge network of mutually dependent systems. Consequently, it is no longer possible, in many cases, to solve problems within the framework of a single isolated system; it is instead necessary to grasp, analyze and forecast problems in the context of this global network of closely linked systems. In order to understand and forecast phenomena from a vast quantity of data, it is first necessary to construct a hypothetical statistical model. Starting in the early 1970s, Dr. Akaike explained the importance of modeling in analysis and forecasting. He formulated the AIC to facilitate selection of the most appropriate model from a number of different types of models. The selection of such a model is highly subjective, as it reflects a researcher's own ideas, knowledge and experience. The AIC offers a solution to this problem, which recurs in almost every field of engineering and science. Consequently, the role of the AIC as a criterion for estimating statistical models has become extremely significant. Today the AIC is built into commercial statistical software packages, and is also widely used in such diverse areas as gene analysis; image compression technologies; and vehicle stability-control technologies, among many others. It is increasingly important in understanding and forecasting phenomena in economic-related fields, such as finance and insurance; safety-related fields, including pharmaceuticals, food and transportation; natural phenomena prediction, such as weather, natural disasters and the environment; and in the management of huge systems. Arts and Philosophy The 2006 Kyoto Prize in Arts and Philosophy, chosen from the field of Art (Painting, Sculpture, Craft, Architecture, Design), was presented to Mr. Issey Miyake, 68, an international artist and designer. Mr. Miyake received the award for his tremendous contributions as a designer to the innovative development of clothing by fusing Eastern and Western cultures with cutting-edge technology. Mr. Issey Miyake has recaptured the relationship between the flat geometry of fabrics and the three-dimensionality of the human body, formulating the epoch-making concept of "a piece of cloth" using elements rooted in Eastern culture. Mr. Miyake studied and incorporated the folding concepts of origami and kimonos into his designs. He applied the three-dimensional property of pleats in an unprecedented way to launch "PLEATS PLEASE" in 1993, a line of clothing designs which allows unrestricted body movement while enabling the fabric to maintain its form. Through his introduction of "A-POC" ("A Piece of Cloth") in 1998, Mr. Miyake illustrated that cloth is, intrinsically, clothing. Using ground-breaking weaving techniques, A-POC clothing is created by cutting the cloth into a desired shape, providing the consumer with control over the final design. By developing these methods, Mr. Miyake brought innovation to clothing production; presented a new ideal for clothing design; and proved that such clothing can be mass-produced for everyone. In regarding himself purely as a designer - not a "fashion designer" - Mr. Miyake has said that, "Clothing belongs to design and innovation, while fashion is nothing but creativity subjugated to the top priorities of business." By pursuing fundamental clothing concepts and ways of making clothes for everyone, he created designs that express both freedom and formality at the same time - without being restricted by the limitations of East or West, time, nationality, or social strata. In this way, he has introduced an ideal form of clothing for the new era, as opposed to conventional clothing that is bound by preconception and stereotype. Mr. Miyake's broad-ranging activities have elevated clothing to a philosophical level. His work demonstrates that clothing design is an excellent medium of expression in contemporary art, and his enormous influence is felt in a wide range of other art genres - as evidenced by his exhibits at eminent museums throughout the world. About the Inamori Foundation The Inamori Foundation was established in 1984 by Dr. Kazuo Inamori, Founder and Chairman Emeritus of Kyocera Corporation. The Kyoto Prize was founded in 1985, in line with Dr. Inamori's belief that man has no higher calling than to strive for the greater good of society, and that mankind's future can be assured only when there is a balance between our scientific progress and our spiritual depth. It is characteristic of the Kyoto Prize that it is presented to individuals or groups in appreciation not only of their outstanding achievements, but also of the excellence of the personal characteristics on which they have built their contributions to mankind. The laureates are selected through a strict and impartial process considering candidates recommended from around the world. As of November 10, 2006, the Kyoto Prize has been awarded to 72 laureates from 12 nations - ranging from scientists, engineers and researchers to philosophers, painters, architects, sculptors, musicians and film directors. The United States has produced the most recipients, with 32 laureates, followed by Japan (ten), the United Kingdom (nine), and France (seven). Download photos at: http://www.kyotoprize.org [ back to top ] [ back to press releases ] |
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