04 May 2010
Husband and wife honoured by University for contribution to genetics
A husband and wife, both pioneers in the fields of gene cloning and genetic engineering, will each receive honorary degrees from the University of Sheffield. Emeritus Professors Sir Kenneth and Lady Murray are being awarded a Doctor of Science honorary degree at a ceremony taking place today.
Their academic careers have been spent primarily in the Department of Molecular Biology at the University of Edinburgh, where they continue to be engaged in research and promotion of the biological sciences. Sir Kenneth and Lady Murray both have links to the University of Sheffield, having worked closely with Emeritus Professor John Guest in helping found the University´s Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology.
Kenneth, 79, is from Yorkshire and was born in East Ardsley, near Wakefield and Noreen, 75, is from the village of Read, near Burnley in Lancashire.
They had a common interest in the molecular recognition of DNA by proteins, and along with Noreen Murray´s genetic expertise with bacterial viruses, assembled the building blocks for some of the first recombinant DNA molecules and gene banks. Their work was vital in the development of molecular-genetic techniques, which are now used in many biomedical projects.
Noreen Murray has in addition clarified the action of the so-called `restriction-modification enzymes´ that enable cells to recognise and protect their own DNA, but degrade foreign DNA.
Sir Kenneth later used the technology to produce a vaccine against the hepatitis B virus, which was responsible for one of the world´s most widespread chronic diseases. It was the first ever genetically engineered vaccine for human use, and he also co-founded Biogen, Europe´s first biotechnology company, which was then licensed to produce the vaccine. Part of the royalty earnings from this discovery were assigned to the Darwin Trust of Edinburgh, established by Sir Kenneth to support research, scholarship and infrastructure development in the field of biological science.
Professor Keith Burnett, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sheffield who is presiding over the ceremony, said: "The University is proud to be honouring Kenneth and Noreen Murray for their invaluable contributions to the field of genetics. We are honoured that two scientists who have worked with the University in developing one of its departments are accepting these honorary degrees." Notes for Editors: Kyle Christie, Media Relations Assistant, on 0114 2229852 or email k.christie@sheffield.ac.uk
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