HSCI's Eggan Named to "Scientific American 50" List for 2006

Prof. Kevin Eggan, a member of the Principal Faculty of the Harvard Stem Cell Institute, has been named to the Research category of Scientific American magazine's prestigious "Scientific American 50" list recognizing outstanding acts of leadership in science and technology from the past year.

"I'm both surprised and delighted by this honor," said Eggan, 32, , an Assistant Professor in the department of Molecular and Cell Biology in Harvard University's Faculty of Arts and Science and a Stowers Medical Institute Investigator. "I'm particularly pleased to be named to the Scientific American list because of the focus it places on stem cell science."

In a prepared statement, Scientific American Editor-In-Chief John Rennie said that the "Scientific American 50 pays tribute to individuals and organizations who, through their efforts in research, business, and policy-making, are driving advances in science and technology that lays the groundwork for a better future. Not only does the list honor these prime movers - it shines a spotlight on the critical fields that are benefiting from their achievements."

Eggan, 32, was cited by Scientific American for research in which he and colleagues fused embryonic stem cells with skins cells, creating fused cells resembling stem cells genetically matched to the donor skin cells.

The work by Eggan's group provides insights into the basic behavior of stem cells, and could conceivably someday lead to a way to produce embryonic stem cells without destroying blastocysts.

Eggan's current work is focused on using somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) to create disease-specific stem cells containing the genome of individuals with diabetes, and he also plans do create similar cell lines to advance the study and treatment of ALS.

In September, Eggan was named a MacArthur Fellow. MacArthur Fellows are selected for the future promise of their work, and receive $500,000 in unrestricted funding in quarterly payments over the course of five years.

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