Insights from

Nobel Laureates, for scientists everywhere

Bruce Beutler

Bruce Beutler

Bruce Beutler shared the 2011 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with Jules Hoffmann and Ralph Steinman for “discoveries concerning the activation of innate immunity”.

Dr Beutler discovered proteins which detect micro-organisms infecting the body. These trigger an innate immune response, allowing the body to provide immediate defence against infection.

Dr Beutler now continues his work as a Regental Professor and Director of the Center for Genetics of Host Defense at UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, USA.

Along with his team, he has developed techniques for detection of mutations that affect an organism’s characteristics. Using these techniques, they have detected hundreds of genes that contribute to immune defence.

Dr Beutler’s team has also studied many other biological functions, such as maintaining constant glucose levels, regulation of body mass and repair following injury. Beutler’s ultimate goal is to identify most of the proteins essential for these biological processes, many of which are abnormal in disease.

 

Photo taken by Brian Coats for UT Southwestern Medical Center.

Is important to publish in the top journals?
Bruce Beutler

Is important to publish in the top journals?

What makes a good grant proposal?
Bruce Beutler

What makes a good grant proposal?

Should I work only on a single project?
Bruce Beutler

Should I work only on a single project?

How do you manage a lab with 70 people in?
Bruce Beutler

How do you manage a lab with 70 people in?

How do you recruit people for your lab?
Bruce Beutler

How do you recruit people for your lab?

What’s your advice for young scientists?
Bruce Beutler

What’s your advice for young scientists?

How did you hear about your Nobel Prize?
Bruce Beutler

How did you hear about your Nobel Prize?

What do you think of America’s system for awarding grants?
Bruce Beutler

What do you think of America’s system for awarding grants?

What’s your view on the academic career system?
Bruce Beutler

What’s your view on the academic career system?

How should institutions judge post-doc applicants?
Bruce Beutler

How should institutions judge post-doc applicants?

Do people work less now that lab techniques are faster?
Bruce Beutler

Do people work less now that lab techniques are faster?

Do you prefer unbiased or hypothesis-driven research?
Bruce Beutler

Do you prefer unbiased or hypothesis-driven research?

How hard is a career in science?
Bruce Beutler

How hard is a career in science?

What’s your opinion on publishing in high impact factor journals?
Bruce Beutler

What’s your opinion on publishing in high impact factor journals?

What kept you going when things didn’t work?
Bruce Beutler

What kept you going when things didn’t work?