Jury report for Prof. R. (René) Bernards

Head Molecular Carcinogenesis at the Netherlands Cancer Institute - Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital and part-time professor Molecular Carcinogenesis at Utrecht University.

Professor Bernards receives the NWO/Spinoza prize 2005 for his groundbreaking work in the molecular biology and diagnostics of cancer.

René Bernards (Bussum, 4 January 1953) graduated in 1980 with a distinction in medical biology from the Universiteit van Amsterdam and in 1984 he obtained his doctorate with distinction from Leiden University. He then worked in the United States for seven years, first at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and later as an assistant professor at Harvard University. In 1992 Bernards received a Pioneer subsidy from NWO and became head of the Molecular Carcinogenesis Department at the Netherlands Cancer Institute - Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital. He was appointed as a part-time professor by Utrecht University in 1994.

René Bernards uses innovative molecular and cellular techniques to study fundamental processes in the cell. How does a cell choose between controlled cell death (apoptosis) and aging, or between an inability to divide or unrestrained division? His group developed three important new technologies that are now used in various research areas. For example with the DNA micro-array technique, he discovered a pattern of gene expression that predicts with considerable accuracy whether a patient with breast cancer will develop metastases. He also developed techniques for blocking processes in the cell with RNAi, and methods for the large-scale addition of new functions to the cell.

Bernards’ work is characterised by a boundless inventiveness for solving difficult problems with the aid of experimental techniques. However these new approaches are not the focus of his work but are instead tools for gaining a better insight into the development of cancer and possible treatments for this. Bernards has the ability to carry out highly-fundamental research in many areas, but is also conceptually outstanding. His work is important for molecular biology, cell biology and molecular medicine.

In 2004 Bernards was the second researcher in the Netherlands to receive the Josephine Nefkens Prize for cancer research. Almost one-fifth of all his publications have appeared in the leading journals Nature, Science and Cell. Furthermore he has cooperated on 15 patents and in 2003 he set up the biotechnology company Agendia, which deploys new research techniques for the development of cancer drugs and the treatment of cancer.

Bernards devotes a lot of attention to selecting and training the right researchers for his group. Two of his post-docs have now gained independent research positions at the Netherlands Cancer Institute - Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital. His former PhD students gain positions at leading international research groups and some of his students are tipped as top researchers of the future.

Referees stated that Bernards is one of the prominent leaders in biomedical research. In view of his productivity over the past five years, it is expected that René Bernards will use his Spinoza prize to develop highly innovative lines of research that will enable him make an immense jump forwards in cancer research.

Further information for the press available from:

· Prof. R. (René) Bernards (Molecular Carcinogenesis, Netherlands Cancer Institute - Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital)

· t +31 (0)20 512 1950/1952, r.bernards@nki.nl

· http://www.agendia.nl

This jury report served as the basis for the speech given by Prof C.T. Verrips at the announcement ceremony for the NWO/Spinoza prizes 2005 on 6 June.