Richard Roberts, a British molecular biologist born in 1943, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1993 alongside Philip Sharp for the discovery of “split genes.” This breakthrough showed that different parts of a gene can be assembled alternatively, allowing for the expression of different proteins from a single gene, thereby challenging the traditional dogma of “one gene, one protein.”
Roberts began his research career at Harvard University between 1969 and 1972. He later joined the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Research Institute as a group leader between 1972 and 1986, after being interviewed by Nobel Laureate James Watson. In 1986, he started working at New England Biolabs, where he served as Assistant Director until 1992, and since then has held the position of Chief Scientific Officer. He is also the Chief Scientific Officer at New England Biolabs Inc., in Ipswich.
Throughout his career, Richard Roberts has participated as a member of the jury for the Rei Jaume I Awards in multiple editions. He has also received several prestigious awards and honors, including the Golden Plate Award from the American Academy of Achievement in 1994, the Convocation Award from the University of Sheffield in 1994, and the Faye Robiner Award from Ross University in the same year.
