| Citation | Stewart Cole has made outstanding contributions to bacterial molecular genetics and the genomics of pathogenic mycobacteria. Following his early molecular analysis of several anaerobic electron transport chains in E. coli, he established a functional model for the outer-membrane protein (OmpA), and made important contributions to our understanding of beta-lactam resistance in the Enterobacteria. He was a key member of the team that determined the complete nucleotide sequence of the AIDS virus, HIV 1. He developed genetic systems for toxigenic clostridia, mapped their genomes and extensively characterized alpha toxin, the principal virulence factor involved in gas gangrene. His studies on isoniazid and multidrug resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis, together with his pioneering work on the genome and genomics of the tubercle and leprosy bacilli, have made him an undisputed leader in the field of mycobacterial research. Furthermore, his findings are of direct relevance to public health and disease-control in both the developing world and the industrialised nations. |