Nobel Prize winner and Cambridge graduate, Sir Tim Hunt, will feature in the final part of the BBC Four series ‘Beautiful Minds’ which looks at the work of contemporary scientists and how their unique perspectives have redefined the world we live in.
Nobel Prize winner and Cambridge graduate, Sir Tim Hunt, will feature in the final part of the BBC Four series ‘Beautiful Minds’ which looks at the work of contemporary scientists and how their unique perspectives have redefined the world we live in.
Hunt will recall moments in his life that provided inspiration for his career as a scientist, from his father's intent scholarship which shaped his early methods to his mother's battle with cancer and the influence of this on his current position at Cancer Research UK.
In his own words, Hunt recounts the events that informed his discovery, from chance encounters to life-changing conversations and reveals his own opinions on the thought processes, both logical and emotional, that led to his extraordinary discovery.
The programme will broadcast tonight, Wednesday 21 April at 9pm on BBC Four. Should you miss the programme you can watch it again on BBC iPlayer.
Sir Tim Hunt studied natural sciences at Clare College and graduated in 1964. He then began work in the Department of Biochemistry and in 1968, when he completed his PhD, moved to New York to work with Professor Irving London. In 1970 he returned to Cambridge, carrying out further collaborative studies there over the next 20 years which lay the groundwork for some of his later achievements.
In 1990 he began work at Imperial Cancer Research Fund, now known as the Cancer Research UK London Research Institute. He became a fellow of the Royal Society in 1991 and a foreign associate of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences in 1999.
He was awarded his Nobel Prize in 2001 with Leland Hartwell and Sir Paul Nurse for their discovery of the mechanism of how cells divide - a discovery fundamental to the life and growth of every single creature on the planet, as well as a vital clue into the mystery of cancer.
He was awarded the Royal Medal in 2006 and received a knighthood in the same year.
The two other scientists that have featured in the ‘Beautiful Minds’ series are Jocelyn Bell Burnell who spoke about her career and links between religion and science, and James Lovelock who discussed how he came to see the Earth as a holistic, self regulating system.
The ‘Beautiful Minds’ programme is part of ‘World of Wonder’, a year of science across the BBC in 2010.
For more information and to watch the programme with Sir Tim Hunt after it has been broadcast please follow the links top right of this page.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Licence. If you use this content on your site please link back to this page.