Eva Nogales: A Life of Scientific Triumph Spanning From Madrid to Berkeley
Spanish scientist Eva Nogales, renowned for her pioneering work in structural biology, emerges as a potential Nobel Prize candidate.
Sam Morgan
- 2023-12-29
- Updated 02:32 AM ET
(NewsNibs) - From her humble beginnings in Colmenar Viejo, Madrid, where her parents, without formal education, prioritized their children's schooling, Eva Nogales has become a luminary in the scientific community. Born 58 years ago, her early interest in science led her to the Faculty of Physics at the Autonomous University of Madrid in 1983. Her journey took a pivotal turn when she moved to the University of California in Berkeley in 1993, where she spent half her life contributing to groundbreaking research.
The Shaw Prize Recipient
Marking her achievements, Nogales has been honored with the Shaw Prize, a prestigious award exceeding one million euros, which acknowledges her alongside Patrick Cramer of Germany. Given the esteem of this "Nobel of the East," it is significant that one in seven recipients of the Shaw Prize later win a Nobel Prize. Nogales' research has focused on understanding the structures of proteins that read DNA, a process integral to life and central to diseases like cancer when it malfunctions. She has also successfully visualized these molecular structures at an atomic level, a first in her field.
Pioneering Advances in Structural Biology
Using cryo-electron microscopy, Nogales' team at Berkeley meticulously captures images of proteins at temperatures around minus 180 degrees Celsius, amassing a "million photos" to assemble into detailed three-dimensional structures. Her work has shed light on essentials like the tau protein, tubulin, and telomerase. Furthermore, her insights into paclitaxel and the CRISPR-Cas9 system have had significant impacts on cancer treatment and genetic engineering, respectively. Her first major success came in 1998 with revealing the structure of tubulin and she continued to unravel molecular mysteries, contributing widely to science and medicine.
Recognition and Inspiration
In recognition of her contributions, a street in Colmenar Viejo was named after Eva Nogales, honouring a legacy that traces back to her roots and reflects her global impact. Her mother, now 87, walks down Avenida Evangelina Nogales de la Morena, embodying the aspirations once dreamt by her parents for their daughter. Nogales' achievements not only spotlight scientific excellence but also inspire the next generation of scientists, strengthened by the support of mentors and a nurturing community. The day after receiving the Shaw Prize, Nogales met with high school teachers from 40 years past, who sparked and fuelled her enduring passion for science. Her story is a testament to the transformative power of education and the pursuit of knowledge.
