Half a million euros for cell reprogramming

Linux Kernel and stem cells: Technology Prize awarded in Finland

Yuri Ilyin, ComputerraThe Technological Academy of Finland awarded Linus Torvalds with the 2012 Technology Prize.

However, he is not the only one: the prize is divided between the creator of Linux and Dr. Shinya Yamanaka, a stem cell researcher. Although the Technology Prize is being awarded only for the fifth time (at least under its current name), this prize already has the status identical to the Nobel Prize – but only in the field of technological innovation.

2012 Technology Prize Winners – Linus Torvalds, Shinya Yamanaka

Torvalds was awarded (naturally!) for creating the Linux kernel, which is now used in a huge range of devices, from "intelligent" vacuum cleaners and book readers to industrial robots and the world's most powerful supercomputers. The Millenium Technology Prize is awarded for "technological innovations that contribute to improving people's lives," and the organizing committee of the award states that "... the achievement of Linus Torvalds had a huge impact on software development, as well as on cultural and ethical issues in the field of communication networks and the openness of the World Wide Web in general."

In turn, Dr. Shinya Yamanaka receives his half of the prize for developing a new method for creating pluripotent (that is, capable of differentiation in various directions) stem cells – without using (and strictly speaking, destroying) human embryos. This, in theory, opens up hitherto unprecedented opportunities in the field of therapeutic research of stem cells and the treatment with their help of the most serious diseases of our time.

The total fund of the award is 1 million euros. Each of the laureates this year receives, respectively, 500 thousand.

Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru20.04.2012