Brandeis Professors Michael Rosbash and Jeffrey Hall win Nobel Prize

Rosbash and professor emeritus Hall win prize with Rockefeller University's Michael Young for work on circadian rhythms

Photo/Mike Lovett

left to right: Michael Rosbash, the Peter Gruber Endowed Chair in Neuroscience at Brandeis University; Jeffrey C. Hall, professor emeritus of biology. Rosbash and Hall won the 2017 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine along with Michael W. Young of Rockefeller University

Brandeis University warmly congratulates Michael Rosbash, the Peter Gruber Endowed Chair in Neuroscience and professor of biology, and Jeffrey C. Hall, professor emeritus of biology, on being awarded the 2017 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.

The two colleagues, who arrived at Brandeis in 1974, did their pioneering work during their time at the university. 

Focusing on the fruit fly, they discovered the molecular mechanisms controlling circadian rhythms, the inner biological clock that regulates almost all life on the planet. The findings may one day lead to treatments for mental illness, Alzheimer's, heart disease and diabetes, all of which have been linked to our circadian rhythms becoming out of sync. 

Rosbash and Hall did their research on the period, or per, gene, which serves as a master clock regulating the ebb and flow of circadian rhythms over a 24-hour cycle. This clock controls body temperature, metabolism and many other biological processes. 

Rosbash and Hall win Nobel Prize Related Coverage Full media coverage: Brandeis scientists win Nobel Prize Brandeis celebrates Nobel Prize in print Full list of honors and awards won by Rosbash and Hall Video: "Exploration without Boundaries" wins Brandeis scientists a Nobel Prize Slideshow: Michael Rosbash and Jeffrey Hall win Nobel Prize Video: Brandeis press conference with Nobel Prize Recipients Michael Rosbash, the Peter Gruber Endowed Chair in Neuroscience Generations of students collaborate in Nobel winning lab How Rosbash and Hall did it Tributes to Rosbash and Hall Failure of brain's clock could play role in causing neuropsychiatric disorders Rosbash named to new Gruber neuroscience chair Explore without Boundaries Research at Brandeis Official Nobel Prize Information Summary Prize Announcement Press Release Interview with Michael Rosbash

The award also went to Michael W. Young at the Rockefeller University in New York.

“Michael Rosbash and Jeffrey C. Hall represent the innovation and collaboration that Brandeis has been known for since its founding,” said Brandeis University President Ron Liebowitz. “This Nobel Prize is a fitting testament to their remarkable work, which has changed our understanding of the rhythms of life. 

“Michael Rosbash is a wonderful scientist, teacher and mentor,” Liebowitz continued. “Not only is he probably our basketball and soccer teams’ No. 1 fan, he is the kind of Brandeis faculty member who comes to our annual Student Open House and takes the time to talk with prospective students, to share his lab and his enthusiasm with others. He represents the best of our science community, which combines original, rigorous research with the engagement of undergraduate and graduate students, doctoral candidates and postdocs, all interacting in what is sometimes a magical collaboration.”

Professor Rosbash, who is also a Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator, said, “This morning’s unexpected announcement certainly affected my circadian rhythms. I am thrilled to join Jeffrey and Michael in this recognition. I am grateful to my colleagues at Brandeis and to the unusual environment here that allows researchers to explore without boundaries while also engaging students in the process of discovery. This is a very special — perhaps unique — university.”

Professor Emeritus Hall commented, “Being at Brandeis was extremely important. It was a small university and relatively informal. Everybody collaborated. We interacted with other departments very frequently.”

“Jeffrey C. Hall, Michael Rosbash and Michael W. Young were able to peek inside our biological clock and elucidate its inner workings,” the Nobel Prize committee said in a press release. 

This is the first time a current Brandeis faculty member has won a Nobel. In 2003, former Brandeis undergraduate Roderick MacKinnon '78 won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry.