On 12 september 2007 the Academy elected Professor Peter Brzezinski at Stockholm University and Professor Tamas Bartfai at The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA as new members of the Class for Chemistry (Class IV).
Swedish member:
Peter Brzezinski is a professor in biochemistry at Stockholm University. Prof. Brzezinski is mainly known for his research on structures and functions in the enzyme cytochrome c oxidase. Lately his work has been focussed on the importance of cell membranes for hydrogen ion transport in the human body. This discovery has increased the knowledge for the energy supply of the cells, and thereby how the mechanisms behind mitochondrial diseases may lead to blindness or paralysis.
Foreign member:
Tamas Bartfai ia a professor in neurochemistry and is at present active as Director of the Harold L. Dorris Neurological Research Center at The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA. Prof. Bartfai originates from Hungary and has for many years served as Professor in Neurochemistry at Stockholm University, and head of research at Hoffman-La Roche, Basel, Switzerland. During his 27-year career in physiological chemistry he has contributed to the knowledge about the molecular and biochemical base of cognition and fever. His work has implications for such diseases as depression, Alzheimer’s disease, schizophrenia and sleep disorders.
As author of some 300 scientific publications, Bartfai is the recipient of numerous prestigious research awards, including the Eotvos Prize in Chemistry, the Svedberg Prize, and the Eriksson Prize. In addition, he has been named a Senior Fullbright Fellow as well as a Fellow of The Neuroscience Institute.