top of page
Paul Nurse is a British scientist who won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2001 for his research on the cell cycle. His groundbreaking work has significantly advanced the understanding of cell division and cancer biology. As a prominent researcher and former president of the Royal Society, Nurse's contributions to science are recognized globally for their impact on molecular and cellular biology. His career reflects his commitment to advancing scientific knowledge and research.
"I met my wife Anne who was a sociology student, and her influence together with activities associated with the student movement of the time opened up my interests amongst other things into the theatre, art, music, politics and philosophy."
Quote_1.png

"I met my wife Anne who was a sociology student, and her influence together with activities associated with the student movement of the time opened up my interests amongst other things into the theatre, art, music, politics and philosophy."

Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
5
"Better understanding of the natural world not only enhances all of us as human beings, but can also be harnessed for the better good, leading to improved health and quality of life."
Quote_1.png

"Better understanding of the natural world not only enhances all of us as human beings, but can also be harnessed for the better good, leading to improved health and quality of life."

Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
6
"I have an idealistic view of science as a liberalising and progressive force for humanity."
Quote_1.png

"I have an idealistic view of science as a liberalising and progressive force for humanity."

Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
12
"A key issue in developmental biology at that time was the problem of how cells underwent differentiation, with most workers concentrating on explanations in terms of changes in enzyme and gene regulation."
Quote_1.png

"A key issue in developmental biology at that time was the problem of how cells underwent differentiation, with most workers concentrating on explanations in terms of changes in enzyme and gene regulation."

Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
3
"Like many students, I found the drudgery of real experiments and the slowness of progress a complete shock, and at my low points I contemplated other alternative careers including study of the philosophy or sociology of science."
Quote_1.png

"Like many students, I found the drudgery of real experiments and the slowness of progress a complete shock, and at my low points I contemplated other alternative careers including study of the philosophy or sociology of science."

Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
2
"This time at Birmingham turned me into a general biologist, and ever since then I have always tried to take a biological approach to any research project that I have undertaken."
Quote_1.png

"This time at Birmingham turned me into a general biologist, and ever since then I have always tried to take a biological approach to any research project that I have undertaken."

Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
1
"I think it was this curiosity about the natural world which awoke my early interest in science."
Quote_1.png

"I think it was this curiosity about the natural world which awoke my early interest in science."

Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
2
"My parents were neither wealthy nor academic, but we lived comfortably and they were always extremely supportive of my academic efforts and aspirations, both at school and university."
Quote_1.png

"My parents were neither wealthy nor academic, but we lived comfortably and they were always extremely supportive of my academic efforts and aspirations, both at school and university."

Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
3
"This possibility bothered me as I thought it was not advisable to remain in one academic environment, and the long dark winters in Edinburgh could be rather dismal."
Quote_1.png

"This possibility bothered me as I thought it was not advisable to remain in one academic environment, and the long dark winters in Edinburgh could be rather dismal."

Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
1
"I was never very good at exams, having a poor memory and finding the examination process rather artificial, and there never seemed to be enough time to follow up things that really interested me."
Quote_1.png

"I was never very good at exams, having a poor memory and finding the examination process rather artificial, and there never seemed to be enough time to follow up things that really interested me."

Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
2
"It was during my time at secondary school that I abandoned religion."
Quote_1.png

"It was during my time at secondary school that I abandoned religion."

Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
5
"My main efforts focussed on trying to identify the rate controlling steps during the cell cycle. Crucial for this analysis were wee mutants that were advanced prematurely through the cell cycle and so divided at a reduced cell size."
Quote_1.png

"My main efforts focussed on trying to identify the rate controlling steps during the cell cycle. Crucial for this analysis were wee mutants that were advanced prematurely through the cell cycle and so divided at a reduced cell size."

Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
2
"I decided that the University of Sussex in Brighton was a good place for this work because it had a strong tradition in bacterial molecular genetics and an excellent reputation in biology."
Quote_1.png

"I decided that the University of Sussex in Brighton was a good place for this work because it had a strong tradition in bacterial molecular genetics and an excellent reputation in biology."

Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
2
"Therefore, I reasoned that study of the cell cycle responsible for the reproduction of cells was important and might even be illuminating about the nature of life."
Quote_1.png

"Therefore, I reasoned that study of the cell cycle responsible for the reproduction of cells was important and might even be illuminating about the nature of life."

Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
14
"At age 11 in 1960, I moved to an academic state secondary school, Harrow County Grammar School for Boys."
Quote_1.png

"At age 11 in 1960, I moved to an academic state secondary school, Harrow County Grammar School for Boys."

Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
2
"My parents were born in Norfolk and spent their early years working in the big houses of that rural English county, my mother as a cook and my father as a handyman and chauffeur."
Quote_1.png

"My parents were born in Norfolk and spent their early years working in the big houses of that rural English county, my mother as a cook and my father as a handyman and chauffeur."

Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
3
"I felt strongly that since the pursuit of good science was so difficult it was essential that the problem being studied was an important one to justify the effort expanded."
Quote_1.png

"I felt strongly that since the pursuit of good science was so difficult it was essential that the problem being studied was an important one to justify the effort expanded."

Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
2
"During the winter my attention was attracted to the changes in the stars and planets in the sky."
Quote_1.png

"During the winter my attention was attracted to the changes in the stars and planets in the sky."

Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
3
"Scientific understanding is often beautiful, a profoundly aesthetic experience which gives pleasure not unlike the reading of a great poem."
Quote_1.png

"Scientific understanding is often beautiful, a profoundly aesthetic experience which gives pleasure not unlike the reading of a great poem."

Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
4
"I had a great time investigating the pigments of different mutant fruit flies by following experimental protocols published in Scientific American, and I also remember making my own beetle collection when it was still acceptable to make such collections."
Quote_1.png

"I had a great time investigating the pigments of different mutant fruit flies by following experimental protocols published in Scientific American, and I also remember making my own beetle collection when it was still acceptable to make such collections."

Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
2
"I was by far the youngest of the family, and at times it was like being an only child."
Quote_1.png

"I was by far the youngest of the family, and at times it was like being an only child."

Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
2
"It has been a privilege to pursue knowledge for its own sake and to see how it might help mankind in more practical ways."
Quote_1.png

"It has been a privilege to pursue knowledge for its own sake and to see how it might help mankind in more practical ways."

Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
2
"My 6 years with Murdoch were pivotal for my entire research career."
Quote_1.png

"My 6 years with Murdoch were pivotal for my entire research career."

Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
3
bottom of page