Professor Azim Surani of the Cambridge Stem Cell Institute has been granted the 2014 McEwen Award for Innovation by the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR).

The McEwen Award recognizes original thinking and groundbreaking research pertaining to stem cells or regenerative medicine that opens new avenues of exploration toward the understanding or treatment of human disease or affliction.

Professor Surani is a world leader in the field of epigenetics and the development of the mammalian germ line. His work on early mammalian development led to his involvement in the discovery of genomic imprinting and ongoing contributions to understanding the mechanistic basis of imprinting. Most relevant to stem cell biology is his work on the cellular and molecular specification of the mammalian germ cell lineage, which impacted the field’s understanding of how the germ line is established and the molecular mechanisms responsible for reprogramming the epigenome in order to generate the totipotent state.

“The ISSCR is thrilled to announce the McEwen Award for Innovation, our most prestigious award, will be presented to Azim Surani,” Janet Rossant, ISSCR president, said. “His pioneering research, which has changed the face of epigenetics and advanced the field of stem cell biology, is a rare and significant contribution from a single individual.”

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