From Wikipedia,
the free encyclopedia
Dr Alfred G. Knudson Jr.
PhD (born in
Los Angeles,
1922) is a
geneticist specialised in the
genetics of
cancer. Probably the most
important one his many
contributions to the field was the
formulation of the
Knudson hypothesis in
1971, which explains the
effects of
mutation on
carcinogenesis (the
development of cancer).
Knudson attended the
California Institute of Technology,
where he obtained a
BSc in
biochemistry and
genetics in
1956. He went on to
Columbia University
medical school in
New York City, after which he
proceeded in
pediatric oncology, mainly in
Houston, Texas, where he
formulated his hypothesis. He has
been affiliated with the
Fox Chase Cancer Center in
Philadelphia since
1976.
He received numerous prizes and
honorary doctorates for his work,
most prominently the
1998
Albert Lasker Award for Clinical
Medical Research. He also
received the
1999
American Society of Pediatric
Hematology/Oncology (ASPHO)
Distinguished Career Award and the
2005
American Association for Cancer
Research (AACR) Award for
Lifetime Achievement in Cancer
Research.
