Summary

Sweden
1996 (AD)
Original medal issued by Karolinska Institute
Awarded to: Peter Doherty - Australian Nobel Laureate in Medicine, 1996
Peter Doherty shared the Nobel prize in 1996 for work investigating the activity of the so called Killer T cells - white blood cells that kill virus infected cells. This work led to a better understanding of basic immunology.
Peter Doherty was born and trained in Queensland and later worked in Canberra and USA. He trained as a Vet and worked as a Quarantine officer before entering research.
He is currently a Laureate Professor of the School of Medicine at the University of Melbourne.
Artist: Erik Lindberg

Physical Description

Medal cast in gold-coloured metal.

Obverse Description

The figures represent the Genius of Medicine holding an open book in her lap, collecting water pouring out of a rock in a bowl to quench a sick girl's thirst. Around, INVENTAS VITAM IUVAT EXCOLUISSE PER ARTESThis passage is taken from Virgil's Aenieid and means And they who bettered life on earth by new-found mastery. REG UNIVERSITAS MED. -CHIR. CAROL. This stands for the Karolinska Institute that awards the prize in medicine or physiology. In plaque at bottom , PETER DOHERTY MCMXCVI. Artists name E. LINDBERG.

Reverse Description

Bust of Alfred Nobel ; reads ALFR. NOBEL / NAT. / MDCCC / XXXIII OB. / MDCCC / XCVI. Artists name E. LINDBERG 1902.

Significance

These replicas of the Nobel Prizes won in medicine by Sir John Eccles, Professor Peter Doherty, and Sir Macfarlane Burnet signify Australian expertise in the field of international medical research. They were commissioned by MV in 2000 for inclusion in the Medical Melbourne exhibition and were on display for several years (2000-2005).

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