Tim Hunt

Sir Timothy "Tim" Hunt, FRS FMedSci (born 19 February 1943), is a British biochemist and molecular biologist. He is principally known for his discovery of cyclins, proteins that regulate the cell cycle. This groundbreaking work earned him the 2001 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, which he shared with Leland H. Hartwell and Paul M. Nurse.

Hunt obtained his PhD from the University of Cambridge. He then conducted postdoctoral research at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York. He returned to Cambridge, working at the Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB). Throughout his career, his research has focused on understanding the complex mechanisms that govern cell division and growth.

His discovery of cyclins during his time at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, proved crucial for understanding the cell cycle's regulation. He observed that certain proteins cyclically increased and decreased in concentration during cell division, hence the name "cyclins". This discovery opened new avenues for research into cell growth and its connection to diseases like cancer.

Beyond his scientific contributions, Hunt has been a prominent figure in science communication. He has held positions at Cancer Research UK and the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology. He has received numerous awards and accolades for his contributions to science. His legacy is built on his pioneering research into the cell cycle and his dedication to furthering scientific knowledge.