Obituary: Susumu Tonegawa, Japan’s first Nobel prizewinner in physiology or medicine

Susumu Tonegawa was a pioneering neuroscientist and immunologist who significantly advanced our understanding of learning, memory, and the genetic mechanisms behind antibody diversity. His groundbreaking work in immunology earned him the 1987 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, making him the first Japanese recipient of the award. Tonegawa believed in asking big scientific questions and using emerging technologies to find answers. Born in Nagoya, Japan, in 1939, he was influenced by a national desire for renewal and pursued molecular genetics in the United States. Despite early struggles, he thrived under the mentorship of Renato Dulbecco, who guided him towards immunology. Tonegawa’s research revealed that B cells rearrange their genes to produce diverse antibodies, a discovery that transformed the field. His legacy continues to inspire scientists to approach complex problems with curiosity and determination. QUESTION: How might Tonegawa’s approach to combining big questions with emerging technologies influence future scientific discoveries?