INDUSTRY

A computational cell biologist from the University of Cambridge, UK has won one of the largest international prizes in science, the Royal Society and Academie des Sciences Microsoft European Science award, it was announced today. Dr Dennis Bray has won the 250,000 euro award, funded by Microsoft Corp, for his research using innovative computer simulations of biological systems. His work focuses on the molecular systems that enable bacteria to detect and respond to chemical changes in their surroundings - swimming, for example, towards food and away from poisons - a process known as chemotaxis. "Bacterial chemotaxis is one of the few examples where we know all the individual components that dictate cell behaviour," said Dr Bray. "Computer modeling allows us to look at how these sets of molecules, especially proteins, interact together to create a biological system and that's why it's so exciting. Discrepancies between our models and the experimental data lead us to areas of uncertainty - cracks in the smooth surface of current dogma that hint at unexplored layers below. One thing we discovered in this way is that thousands of receptor molecules on the bacterial surface work together, making a highly sensitive 'nose' that can detect and analyze the smells fromdifferent food sources." On a more general level, Dr Bray is trying to demonstrate that when computer simulations reach a sufficient richness and accuracy they may be treated as experimental objects in their own right. These surrogate organisms can then be used to tackle problems that cannot be approached with existing technology and equipment. Dr Bray said, "This award will enable me to set up a computational facility for the new Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscienceat the University of Cambridge consisting of a network of computing nodes and workstations. This will provide needed computational power for a number of ongoing projects, including our own molecular simulations of chemotaxis." The Royal Society and Academie des Sciences Microsoft European Science award was established to support research that explores novel scientific techniques and discovery, fuelled by the increasing convergence of computer science and the natural sciences. Microsoft's support of this award is part of Microsoft Research Cambridge's European Science Initiative, which is focused on accelerating "new kinds" of science and computing being created atthe intersection of both - areas with the potential to create profound social, technological, scientific and economic change. Martin Rees, president of the Royal Society, said, "The interface of science and computing is challenging the frontiers of scientific knowledgeand a growing number of sciences would not exist in their current form were it not for the power of computers now available. Dr Bray has been a tirelessand influential advocate of the computational approach to living cells. His work demonstrates why computational biology will be essential for making progress in the field of biology more generally." "The Academie des Sciences is particularly pleased to deliver, jointlywith the Royal Society, the first Microsoft European Science award," said Professor Edouard Brezin, president of the Academie des Sciences. "Today, computational sciences are of primary importance in all areas of science. Together with experiment, computer models are now able to provide information which would not be accessible otherwise. This is exemplified in the beautiful work of Dr Bray on bacterial chemotaxis." Jean-Philippe Courtois, president of Microsoft International, said, "Some of the most innovative uses for software are developing at the intersection of computing and the natural sciences. Private industry investment inscientific partnerships helps Europe stay competitive. Through this award andother programmes as part of the Microsoft European Science Initiative, we are helping to support the work of leading European scientists, such as Dr Bray,to push the boundaries of science and computing." Dr Bray will receive his award at a ceremony at the Royal Societytomorrow night (Friday 3 November). The 2006 Royal Society and Academie des Sciences Microsoft European Science award was open to research scientists working in Europe at the interface of the biological sciences and computing. In 2007 the award will beaimed at computing and the physical sciences, and the call for nominations will be opened in December 2006.