British scientist to receive award for diabetes work

Professor Frances Ashcroft, who made the discovery in 1984, will be named as this year's European Laureate at the L'Oreal-Unesco For Women in Science Awards. After identifying the protein that linked blood sugar to the release of insulin, Professor Ashcroft also found a genetic mutation that could cause neonatal diabetes, which develops soon after birth. Her work means that 90 per cent of children with neonatal diabetes are now treated with tablets instead of insulin injections. The Royal Society Fellow, and Fellow of Trinity College, Oxford, was described by an award judge as "inspirational". Professor Gunter Blobel, Nobel laureate and President of the Jury said: “This award is testament to Professor Ashcroft's intellectual achievements and her energy, dedication and passion for her research. The judges were also struck by her commitment to communicating science to the general public. She is an inspirational role model for younger female scientists.” Professor Ashcroft, who also wrote the popular science book Life at the Extremes, will receive $100,000 (£62,825) at a ceremony in Paris. "Travelling to Paris to receive this award is hugely exciting and I am humbled to have been chosen to receive such a prestigious prize alongside four other inspirational female scientists from across the globe," she said. “All scientists hope that their work will have an impact on people’s lives, but you never think it will happen in your own lifetime, so I have been unbelievably privileged in that respect. “This award honours not only me, but also the team of dedicated scientists and collaborators with whom I have worked. Without them, it would not have been possible. “I hope these awards will help to inspire a new generation of female scientists.” She is one of five Laureates to be honoured for her contribution to science. Two of the 72 Laureates have gone on to win Nobel prizes.