Updated Feb 14, 2026
Details
DROPTHE_ GOSSIP
Susumu Tonegawa: Japanese biologist (1939 - ).
Born in Nagoya (age 86).
15 awards including Albert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research.
Studied at Hibiya High School.
AWARDS (15)
B
Albert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research
WON
B
Asahi Prize
WON
B
Bristol-Myers Squibb Award for Distinguished Achievement in Cancer Research
WON
B
Canada Gairdner International Award
WON
Biography
Susumu Tonegawa is a Japanese scientist who was the sole recipient of the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine in 1987 for his discovery of V(D)J recombination, the genetic mechanism which produces antibody diversity. Although he won the Nobel Prize for his work in immunology, Tonegawa is a molecular biologist by training and he again changed fields following his Nobel Prize win; he now studies neuroscience, examining the molecular, cellular and neuronal basis of memory formation and retrieval.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Susumu Tonegawa?
Susumu Tonegawa is 86 years old, born on .
Where was Susumu Tonegawa born?
Susumu Tonegawa was born in Nagoya.
Where can I find more information about Susumu Tonegawa?
You can find more about Susumu Tonegawa on Wikidata. Their full profile and filmography is available on this page.
