The 2026 Japan Prize

• Field:
  Life Sciences
• Achievement:
  Discovery of the nucleic acid sensing mechanism by the innate immune system

Education

1985	B.S., Biology, Fujian Normal University
1991	Ph.D., State University of New York at Buffalo

Professional Experience

1991-1992	Postdoctoral fellow, Salk Institute, San Diego, CA
1992-1994	Research Scientist, Baxter Healthcare Corporation, Irvine, CA
1994-1997	Senior Scientist, ProScript, Inc., Cambridge, MA
1997-2002	Assistant Professor, Dept. of Molecular Biology, UT Southwestern Medical Center
2002-2005	Associate Professor of Molecular Biology, UT Southwestern Medical Center
2005-	Professor of Molecular Biology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas
2005-	Investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute
2010-	George L. MacGregor Distinguished Chair in Biomedical Science

Academic Journals

• Seth RB, Sun L, Ea CK, Chen ZJ. Identification and characterization of MAVS, a mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein that activates NF-kappaB and IRF3. Cell (2005) 122(5):669–682.
• Sun L, Wu J, Du F, Chen X, Chen ZJ. Cyclic GMP-AMP synthase is a cytosolic DNA sensor that activates the type I interferon pathway. Science (2013) 339(6121):786–791.
• Wu J, Sun L, Chen X, Du F, Shi H, Chen C, Chen ZJ Cyclic GMP-AMP is an endogenous second messenger in innate immune signaling by cytosolic DNA. Science (2013) 339(6121):826–830.

Awards

1998	Searle Scholar
2002	Burroughs Wellcome Fund Investigator in Pathogenesis of Infectious Diseases
2002	Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Scholar
2005	Welch Foundation Norman Hackerman Award in Chemical Research
2007	Edith and Peter O’Donnell Award in Science by The Academy of Medicine, Engineering and Science of Texas
2012	NAS Award in Molecular Biology For work on polyubiquitin and innate immunity.
2018	Lurie Prize in Biomedical Sciences For discovery of the cGAS enzyme, a sensor of innate immunity.
2019	Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences For discovery of the cGAS enzyme that triggers immune defense.
2020	William B. Coley Award for Distinguished Research in Basic and Tumor Immunology
2022	Member, National Academy of Medicine, USA
2023	Louisa Gross Horwitz Prize
2024	Albert Lasker Basic Medical Research Award The Albert Lasker Basic Medical Research Award for Dr. Chen's discovery of the cGAS enzyme.
2024	Qiu Shi Outstanding Scientist Award
2025	Fellow, Royal Society