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IDF Elie Metchnikoff Prize 2007, An initiative by IDF and its partners to celebrate scientific discoveries

IDF ELIE METCHNIKOFF PRIZE 2007 WINNERS COME FROM USA, JAPAN AND CANADA

The IDF Elie Metchnikoff Prize 2007 was awarded in three categories: Microbiology, Biotechnology and Nutrition and health. And the winners are…

Microbiology

Prof. Tomotari Mitsuoka, Japan - Pioneering a new scientific field “intestinal bacteriology” and development of functional foods

Prof. Mitsuoka's has been awarded for his outstanding contribution to progress in intestinal bacteriology and his commitment to providing the first developing culture and research methods for intestinal flora, and subsequently discovering, classifying, and naming many lactic acid bacteria and intestinal anaerobes. The scientific work of Prof. Mitsuoka paved the way for application of the theory of intestinal flora balance to measures for the maintenance of human health and prevention of disease, as well as for the development and assessment of functional foods.

Biotechnology

Prof. Larry Lee McKay, USA - The genetic basis for the instability of industrially important traits in the dairy starter bacterium Lactococcus lactis

Prof. Larry McKay made a series of discoveries focused on mobile genetic elements in dairy lactococci. These discoveries created an entirely new field of research—the genetics of lactic acid bacterial starter cultures—a field that today engages over a thousand researchers, both academic and industrial, around the world. Prof. McKay's seminal discovery was that lactococci harbour a diversity of plasmids that encode the key traits necessary for their function as dairy starter bacteria.

Nutrition and health

Prof. Gregor Reid and Prof. Andrew Bruce, Canada - Enhancement of vaginal health following oral administration of probiotic lactobacilli

Prof. Gregor Reid and Prof. Andrew Bruce discovered and verified that probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 and Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14 can be delivered to the vagina via oral intake and natural passage through the intestine and along the perineal and vulval skin. The discovery has major implications for restoration and maintenance of the health of women and girls, the world over. The findings formed the basis for the creation of the Canadian Research and Development Centre for Probiotics.

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The IDF Elie Metchnikoff Prize 2007 was created with the support of the following partners from the industry and other organizations: Yakult, Nestlé, Danone Research, All-Russia Dairy Research Institute, Russian Dairy Union, Chr. Hansen, Danisco, YLFA International, Valio, DSM Food Specialties, California Dairy Research Foundation, Dairy Management Inc.The IDF Elie Metchnikoff Prize 2007 recognizes outstanding scientific discoveries in the fields of microbiology, biotechnology, nutrition and health with regard to fermented milks.

By launching this initiative, IDF pays tribute to Nobel prize winner Prof. Elie Metchnikoff and his founding contribution to a very dynamic and rapidly expanding branch of the dairy industry, namely fermented milks and probiotics for improving nutrition and health worldwide.

The submission deadline for entries was 31 January 2007. The Award Committee will decide on the winning entry in each category in March 2007.

The Prize award ceremony will take place at the occasion of the first IDF Regional Conference on Fermented Milks - Technology and Nutrition in Moscow/Russia on 17 May 2007. View event details at http://www.lactose.ru



About Prof. E. Metchnikoff

Nobel prize winner Prof. Elie Metchnikoff first discussed the concept of creating beneficial health effects through ingestion of living bacteria. His famous book titled "The Prolongation of Life" (London, William Heinemann 1907) appeared on the international scene almost one hundred years ago. In his publication, Prof. Metchnikoff suggested that the longevity of certain ethnic groups was related to their ingestion of fermented milk products and that these products maintain the good balance of the intestinal microbiota. Besides influencing the intestinal microbiota, immuno-modulating properties of probiotics are attracting increasing interests in the scientific community. The potential of probiotics, defined as "live organisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host", in the area of human health and nutrition is obtaining growing recognition and is already used on a regular basis in veterinary practice.

The year 2007 marks the 100th anniversary of the famous publication "The Prolongation of Life" that was fundamental for the development of fermented milks and probiotics. Scientific research has established the crucial role of fermented milks as natural suppliers of active ingredients and ideal carriers for probiotics essential for achieving an optimal development of the gut microflora.


To be awarded at the first IDF Regional Conference on Fermented Milks - Technology and Nutrition, Moscow, Russia, 17 May 2007