Lund University professor receives Robert A. Pritzker Prize for Parkinson's research

Anders Björklund from Lund University in Sweden has been awarded the Robert A. Pritzker Prize for his many years of leadership in research on Parkinson's disease. The prize has long been an institution in American architecture and this year, for the first time, it is also being awarded to recognise cutting-edge medical research.

Anders Björklund receives USD 100 000 to advance current research projects at Lund University. He has been awarded the prize for his significant contributions to therapeutic development for Parkinson's disease and his exceptional commitment to mentoring the next generation of Parkinson's researchers.

Professor Björklund is most well-known for his groundbreaking experiments that led to nerve cell transplants on Parkinson's patients in 1987. Today Anders Björklund leads research which aims to develop tailor-made stem cells which can replace the brain cells that die in Parkinson's disease. His research group has also led groundbreaking efforts to develop treatments for levodopa-induced dyskinesia, the involuntary movements which are a side effect of the standard medication for Parkinson's disease.

The prize is awarded by the Michael J. Fox Foundation, the world's leading private research funding body for Parkinson's disease. Anders Björklund has long been an active partner and has sat on the organisation's scientific advisory board since 2005. Michael J. Fox is clearly pleased with the choice of recipient: "Anders, a long-time collaborator with our Foundation, embodies the qualities of innovation and creativity in the lab - he's a true giant of Parkinson's research", says the former star of film and television.

Anders Björklund is most proud of the jury's comments, which emphasise his role as a supervisor over the years.

"Obviously I am very proud to have received the prize, but I am most pleased that my role as a mentor has been recognised. I have had the privilege to supervise many talented doctoral students and postdoctoral researchers who have gone on to make major contributions to the research on neurodegenerative diseases."

Source: Lund University