Bill Catterall honored with Wachter Research Prize
Bill Catterall, chair of the Department of Pharmacology, has been awarded the 2010 Wachter Research Prize by the University of Innsbruck, Austria, for exceptional scientific achievements in all fields of medicine.
Catterall was recognized for discovery of sodium and calcium channel proteins and definition of their receptor sites for drugs. The international prize of 15,000 Euros was presented to Catterall at an awards ceremony at the University of Innsbruck in November.
During his visit to the University, Catterall gave several presentations, including a lecture at a symposium attended by scientists from Europe and Canada, an honorary lecture to the research community, and a graduate student workshop. His visit ended with a public lecture entitled Electrical Signaling in the Brain.
Catterall discovered the voltage-gated sodium channel and calcium channel proteins that underlie electrical signaling in the brain. Electrical signaling is the basis of how the brain receives, processes, and sends information. His work has helped scientists better understand the molecular mechanisms of function and regulation of ion channel proteins. His discovery advances scientific research on medications designed to relieve chronic pain by blocking electrical signals in the spine or to treat abnormal heart rhythms by blocking electrical signals in the heart.
The Ilse and Helmut Wachter Research Prize (Ilse & Helmut Wachter Privatstiftung) was founded to further medical science for the welfare of mankind and, by doing so, to contribute to the reputation of the Innsbruck Medical University. The award has been given in alternate years since 1999.
In October, Catterall received the 2010 Canada Gairdner Award, one of the world’s most prestigious medical research awards.