The 1986 Laureates / Advanced Technology Category / Biotechnologies (Molecular Genetics, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Cancer Research, Application of Biological Function, etc.)
image

Nicole Marthe Le Douarin

France / August 20, 1930
Developmental Biologist; Director, Institute of Embryology at C.N.R.S.

A biologist who invented a new technology to produce quail-chick chimeras from chickens and quails. Thereby, the development of the nervous and immune systems in higher animals was illuminated. She has made significant contributions to the establishment of the method known as "Embryo Manipulation."

BRIEF BIOGRAPHY
1954
Graduated from University of Paris, Bachelor of Science
1954-1960
Lycee teacher of natural sciences
1960-1965
Research member of C.N.R.S.
1964
Doctor of Science Degree
1965-1966
Lecturer in Faculty of Science at Clermont-Ferrand University
1971-1975
Professor at Nantes University
1975-present
Director of Institute of Embryology at C.N.R.S.

AWARDS AND HONORS
1980
Legion d'Honneur
1982
Admitted to Academy of Sciences, France
1984
Admitted to American Academy of Arts and Sciences

MAJOR WORKS
1975
Tracing of Cells of the Avian Thymus through Embryonic Life in Interspecific Chimaeras (with F. Jotereau)
1982
The Neural Crest
1985
Mapping of the Early Neural Primordium in Quail-Chick Chimaeras: I. Developmental Relationship between Placodes, Facial Ectoderm and Proscephalon (with G. F. Couly)
1986
Post-natal Development of a Demyelinating Disease in Avian Spinal Cord Chimaeras(with M. Kinutani and M. Coltey)