About Hans Bloemendal

About Hans Bloemendal

Hans Bloemendal has made significant contributions to the fields of biochemistry and molecular biology throughout his illustrious career and as a prominent scientist at the forefront of research on lens proteins He was the first to provide a new insight into the complex behaviour of lens proteins, demonstrating that crystallin heterogeneity was due to a combination of multimeric associations of different crystallin polypeptides. From 1965 to 1988, he was full professor of Biochemistry at the Radboud University Nijmegen, at both the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Medicine. His research group was the first to isolate translatable mRNAs coding for crystallin proteins, in a time when messenger RNA isolation was still in its infancy. Once again as a pioneer, he turned to the primary structure of crystallin polypeptides, cDNA and gene cloning. His cell biology studies not only included the spatial distribution of crystallins in the lens, lens cell culture, viral transformation of lens epithelial cells, lens aging and cataract, but also beautiful work on the cytoskeleton and plasma membrane in the lens. His love and devotion to molecular life sciences is illustrated by the fact that, at his age he is still active in the field: he is a distinguished example and role model for young students and scientists alike. Next to his scientific career, Hans Bloemendal was active in many other areas. The most important of these is of course his singing. Already for more than half a century he has been the first cantor at the most important synagogue in Amsterdam. His ritual Jewish songs have been recorded many times.

Next to his scientific career, Hans Bloemendal was active in many other areas. The most important of these is of course his singing. Already for more than half a century he has been the first cantor at the most important synagogue in Amsterdam. His ritual Jewish songs have been recorded many times.

The Hans Bloemendal Medal has been bestowed on a number of very prominent scientists. Since 2007 the medal is awarded yearly as part of the New Frontiers symposia.

Year	Winner	Subject
2011	B. Nillius	Ion channels
2010	B. Spiegelman	Energy homeostasis
2009	S. Akira	Toll-like receptors
2008	A. Ciechanover	Ubiquitination
2007	P. Agre	Aquaporins
1996	A. Wyllie	Apoptosis	Not available
1994	W. Franke	Cell adhesion proteins	Not available
1992	Y. Nishizuka	Protein kinase C	Not available
1990	G. Blobel	Intracellular transport	Not available
1988	J. Piatigorski	Eye lens	Not available