Feb. 1, 2010 -- Donald F. Steiner, A. N. Pritzker distinguished service professor emeritus in the departments of medicine and biochemistry and molecular biology at the University of Chicago, has been awarded the Manpei Suzuki Diabetes Prize for 2009.

The prize, now two years old, is the largest award for diabetes research. It was established to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the Manpei Suzuki Diabetes Foundation, and it honors “those who have enlightened researchers in the field of diabetes around the world with their original and excellent scientific achievements.” The prize includes a certificate of honor, a Japanese objet d’art and $150,000.

The prize’s selection committee cited Steiner's outstanding achievements over many years of research, including the discovery of proinsulin and characterization of the proinsulin processing pathway, clinical applications of a C-peptide radioimmunoassay for measuring endogenous insulin production and identification of a point mutation in the insulin gene causing various abnormalities in glucose metabolism.

“I am highly honored,” said Steiner. “It’s humbling to be recognized by my peers and gratifying to receive an award of this stature for my life’s work. I’m very grateful to my colleagues for the nomination and to the Manpei Suzuki Diabetes Foundation for this distinction.”

Visit Donald F. Steiner's homepage at the University of Chicago.