Exploring the groundbreaking 2012 Sanofi-Cell Research Award discoveries about cross-kingdom genetic regulation
In the world of scientific discovery, some findings fundamentally reshape our understanding of biology. The 2012 Sanofi-Cell Research Outstanding Paper Award recognized precisely this type of groundbreaking research that challenges conventional boundaries. Sponsored by the global pharmaceutical company Sanofi and the prestigious journal Cell Research, this award celebrates exceptional scientific work that pushes the frontiers of knowledge.
The 2012 winners unveiled remarkable biological conversations occurring across kingdoms of life, within the mysterious world of cancer stem cells, and at the molecular level of cellular cleanup. These discoveries didn't just answer existing questions—they opened entirely new avenues for therapeutic development and fundamentally changed how we understand communication in the biological world 1 .
The Sanofi-Cell Research Outstanding Paper Award represents a significant commitment to recognizing and encouraging scientific excellence in biological research. Now in its fourth year in 2012, the award carried both prestige and financial support—€3,000 for outstanding review articles and €5,000 for exceptional research articles 1 .
| Award Category | Recipient(s) | Research Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Outstanding Review Article | Dr. Dean Tang | Cancer stem cell heterogeneity and plasticity |
| Outstanding Research Article | Drs. Chen-Yu Zhang, Ke Zen, and Junfeng Zhang | Cross-kingdom regulation by microRNA |
| Outstanding Research Article | Drs. Yigong Shi and Li Yu | Beclin 1 as a novel membrane-binding protein |
The award provided €3,000 for review articles and €5,000 for research articles, supporting further scientific exploration.
A steering committee with members from Sanofi and Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences ensured both academic excellence and translational potential.
Among the award-winning research, perhaps the most startling discovery came from Dr. Chen-Yu Zhang and his team, who revealed a remarkable biological phenomenon: plant microRNAs from food can enter the human bloodstream and regulate our genes 1 . This finding challenged a fundamental assumption in biology—that genetic regulation occurs primarily within, not between, biological kingdoms.
The research team made their discovery while investigating MIR168a, a specific miRNA abundantly found in rice. When they examined human and animal blood samples, they made the astonishing finding that this plant miRNA survived digestion intact and remained biologically active in the bloodstream 1 .
Illustration of plant miRNA absorption and gene regulation
Even more remarkably, once inside the body, this plant miRNA specifically targeted and regulated a mammalian gene called LDLRAP1, which plays a crucial role in cholesterol metabolism 1 . This discovery of dietary microRNAs influencing human physiology opened up revolutionary possibilities for managing metabolic conditions through engineered dietary components.
To understand why this discovery was so revolutionary, let's examine how the researchers uncovered this cross-kingdom communication. Their experimental approach combined rigorous methodology with creative problem-solving to demonstrate something most scientists thought impossible.
First, they needed to confirm that plant miRNAs weren't just present in animal tissues but existed in meaningful amounts. Using advanced molecular techniques including quantitative PCR and Northern blot analysis, they not only detected specific plant miRNAs in human and animal blood but confirmed they were present at biologically relevant concentrations.
Next, they investigated how dietary miRNAs survive the digestive process. By feeding mice pure synthetic plant miRNAs or rice-based diets, then tracking these molecules through digestion and absorption, they demonstrated that these foreign miRNAs could survive the harsh environment of the gastrointestinal tract and enter the circulation.
The researchers then explored how these plant miRNAs regulate mammalian genes. Through a series of biochemical assays, they confirmed that MIR168a specifically binds to the messenger RNA of LDLRAP1, effectively suppressing this protein's production and consequently altering cholesterol metabolism in the recipient animals.
Finally, they needed to prove this wasn't just correlation but actual causation. By administering plant miRNAs to mice with controlled diets and measuring subsequent changes in gene expression and metabolic parameters, they established a clear cause-effect relationship between miRNA intake and physiological changes.
| Experimental Evidence | Finding | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| miRNA Detection | Plant MIR168a found in human and mouse plasma | Demonstrated bioavailability of dietary miRNAs |
| Survival Through Digestion | Plant miRNAs remained intact after exposure to digestive enzymes | Explained how miRNAs survive harsh GI conditions |
| Gene Targeting | MIR168a specifically bound to LDLRAP1 mRNA | Revealed precise molecular mechanism of action |
| Physiological Effect | Reduced LDLRAP1 protein levels and altered cholesterol clearance | Established biological relevance and functional impact |
This multi-layered experimental approach provided the compelling evidence needed to convince a skeptical scientific community of this unprecedented biological phenomenon 1 .
Dr. Dean Tang's comprehensive review analyzed the complex nature of cancer stem cells (CSCs), the rare cells within tumors thought to be responsible for cancer initiation, progression, and recurrence 1 . His work highlighted two critical properties of these cells that make cancers so difficult to treat:
Not all cancer stem cells are identical, even within the same tumor. This diversity means treatments that eliminate one type of CSC might miss others.
Cancer stem cells can switch between different states, transitioning between stem-like and more differentiated forms. This adaptability allows them to escape therapies targeted at a specific state.
This research provided a crucial framework for understanding why cancers often develop therapy resistance and offered new strategic approaches for targeting the fundamental roots of cancer rather than just its symptoms.
Drs. Yigong Shi and Li Yu investigated Beclin 1, a protein essential for autophagy—the cellular process of breaking down and recycling damaged components 1 . Through elegant structural and biochemical studies, they made the fundamental discovery that Beclin 1 acts as a membrane-binding protein 1 .
This finding was particularly significant because Beclin 1 functions as a tumor suppressor, and its malfunction has been implicated in various cancers. By revealing its novel membrane-binding activity, their work provided critical insights into how this protein helps orchestrate the complex process of cellular cleanup—a process essential for maintaining cellular health and preventing disease.
Beclin 1 facilitates cellular waste management through autophagy
Breakthrough discoveries like those recognized by the Sanofi-Cell Research Award depend on sophisticated research tools and methodologies. These technologies enable scientists to ask nature subtle questions and interpret its answers.
| Tool/Technique | Function | Application in Award-Winning Research |
|---|---|---|
| microRNA Sequencing | Identifies and quantifies miRNA populations | Detected plant-derived miRNAs in animal tissues |
| Gene Expression Analysis (qPCR) | Measures RNA levels of specific genes | Quantified changes in LDLRAP1 expression |
| Animal Models (Mice) | Provides intact biological system for study | Traced dietary miRNA absorption and effects |
| Protein Biochemistry Assays | Studies protein function and interactions | Revealed Beclin 1's membrane binding capacity |
| Structural Biology Approaches | Visualizes molecular structures | Elucidated Beclin 1's 3D architecture |
| Cell Culture Systems | Allows study of processes in isolated cells | Investigated cancer stem cell properties |
These research tools form the foundation of modern molecular biology, enabling scientists to dissect biological processes at increasingly precise levels—from whole organisms down to individual molecules and their atomic structures.
The 2012 Sanofi-Cell Research Outstanding Paper Award recognized discoveries that continue to resonate through the scientific community. A decade later, these findings have spawned entirely new research directions—from the exploration of dietary genetic regulators to innovative approaches for targeting cancer at its source.
The most profound lesson from these award-winning studies may be that nature often holds connections where we least expect them. Who would have imagined that a meal of rice could introduce genetic regulators into our bloodstream? Or that a protein known for its role in cellular cleanup would possess unexpected talents? These discoveries remind us that scientific progress often comes from looking across traditional boundaries—between plant and animal, between different cellular processes, between established scientific disciplines.
As Cell Research noted when announcing these awards, such recognition aims to "encourage our fellow scientists to submit their best work" 1 . The 2012 award winners certainly delivered on this aspiration, providing perfect examples of how curiosity-driven research can reveal nature's deepest secrets—and in the process, open new possibilities for addressing some of humanity's most challenging health problems.