The Agriculture Prize Committee has unanimously selected the following two candidates to equally share the 1988 Wolf Prize:
Charles Thibault
University of Paris VI
Paris, France
Ernest John Christopher Polge
Animal Biotechnology Cambridge Ltd.
Cambridge, United Kingdom
for pioneering work in reproductive physiology including cell preservation, fertilization processes, egg biology and embryo manipulations for domestic animal improvement.
Dr. Ernest John Christopher Polge is renowned for his pioneering work on the cryopreservation of living cells, such as sperm and in embryos. His work in this area promoted the development of the science of cryobiology. During the last 30 years he has also contributed significantly to our understanding of embryonic development, in vitro fertilization and embryo transplants. In addition, he led a group to international recognition for pioneering techniques in cloning livestock animals by embryo division and nuclear transfer, and initiated transgenic research by insertion of gene constructs into pronuclei of recently fertilized eggs.
Throughout his career he has been concerned with the transfer and application of science for the improvement of livestock production.
Professor Emeritus Charles Thibault is renowned for his pioneering research on the maturation of the egg and its fertilization. In this regard he had a major role in characterizing the control of meiosis in the egg and providing the first cytological descriptions of fertilization events leading up to the first cleavage. His work progressed from these studies to in vitro fertilization and the conditions for culturing eggs, the study of sperm capacitation and gamete ageing in a number of different species. The results of his work improved our understanding of embryonic mortality differences among species, elevating conception rates and factors involved in the successful use of in vitro fertilization. Throughout his career he has been recognized for his leadership in reproductive biology.
The combined contributions of Polge and Thibault have had a major impact on reproductive biology, livestock production and related reproductive issues on other mammals as well as in humans. In addition both have had a major role in the training of other scientists and their leadership roles in reproductive biology.