In a formal ceremony held at the Stockholm Concert Hall last Thursday, Weizmann Institute of Science Professor Ada Yonath became the first Israeli woman, and the ninth Israeli, to win a Nobel Prize. Yonath was a pioneer in the study of the key protein-producing ribosomes in all cells, and only the fourth woman to become chemistry laureate.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu congratulated Yonath Thursday night on her being awarded the Nobel Prize for Chemistry. Yonath shared the 10 million Swedish kroner ($1.4 million) award with Britain’s Indian-born Venkatraman Ramakrishnan and American Thomas A. Steitz, who continued Yonath’s work.

Each of the winners received a gold medal and a document from Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf as the royal family and relatives of friends of the laureates were present. Orchestral music was played, and an opera singer sang arias from Tosca and Don Giovanni.

The field involving the ribosome, which translates genetic code in the production of protein, has contributed to understanding the resistance of bacteria to antibiotics, and is expected to help in the development of new and more effective anti-bacterial drugs.

Before the ceremony, Yonath said she hoped her award would encourage Israeli children – both boys and girls – to develop an interest in sciences in general and specifically chemistry. “There is a great feeling here,” Yonath said. “There is a lot of pressure in it. I have my entire family here, and this is a wonderful opportunity to spend time with them. I can’t complain.”

I am extremely excited about the decision to award Professor Yonath the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, and for the honor that her accomplishments have brought to Israel, its citizens, and the Israeli scientific community and institutions.

View a previously written post by Mouli Cohen about science