The Jean-Charles Fruchart Prize
The Jean-Charles Fruchart Prize in Nuclear Receptors and Atherosclerosis Research is awarded every three years by the International Atherosclerosis Society (IAS) and the R3i Foundation. Established in honor of Dr. Jean-Charles Fruchart’s significant contributions to the fields of lipidology and atherosclerosis research, this prize aims to recognize outstanding achievements in advancing our understanding of nuclear receptors and their roles in cardiovascular health. Professor Jean-Charles Fruchart, a prominent figure in the scientific community, was instrumental in establishing the Residual Risk Reduction (R3i) Foundation and served as the IAS’s president from 2007 to 2009, playing a pivotal role in fostering academic collaboration and research initiatives. His profound impact on the study of lipid metabolism and the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis set the groundwork for many crucial advancements in the field. The prize not only commemorates his legacy but also encourages ongoing research that aligns with his vision of reducing vascular risk.
Previous Laureates
2024
Awarded in Muscat, Oman.
Professor Peter Tontonoz (USA)
Professor Peter Tontonoz from the University of California, Los
Angeles (UCLA) has made significant contributions to the understanding of nuclear receptors and their role in atherosclerosis. His innovative research has elucidated critical pathways of lipid metabolism. Tontonoz’s work on liver X receptors (LXRs) demonstrates how these nuclear receptors regulate cholesterol efflux and lipid homeostasis, directly linking these processes to cardiovascular disease mechanisms.
2021
Awarded in Kyoto, Japan.
Professor Hitoshi Shimano (Japan)
Professor Hitoshi Shimano from the University of Tsukuba, Japan, has made substantial contributions to the field of nuclear receptors, particularly in relation to metabolic diseases and atherosclerosis. His research has focused on the role of nuclear receptors such as liver X receptors (LXRs) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) in lipid metabolism and homeostasis. Shimano’s work has revealed how these receptors regulate cholesterol and fatty acid metabolism.
