Pääbo found that the gene transfer had taken place from these now extinct hominids to Homo sapiens. This ancient flow of genes to humans today has physiological relevance today, for example by influencing the way our immune system reacts to infections.
Among the researchers considered for the prestigious award this year were those instrumental in the development of the mRNA technology that has been used in Covid-19 vaccines, which has saved millions of lives around the world.
Last year’s recipients were Davide Giulio And Ardem Patapoutian for their discoveries on how the human body perceives temperature and touch.
The Medicine Prize kicks off a week of Nobel Prize announcements. It continues on Tuesday with the physics prize, Wednesday with chemistry and Thursday with literature. The 2022 Nobel Peace Prize will be announced on Friday and the Economy Prize on 10 October.
The prizes carry a cash prize of SEK 10 million (nearly $ 900,000) and will be distributed on 10 December. The money comes from a legacy left by the creator of the prize, the Swedish inventor Alfred Nobel, who died in 1895.
(With input from agencies)
