Stefan Thor
Encyclopedia
Stefan Thor is a Swedish professor
of biology
at Linköping University
.
Stefan Thor was born in Uppsala
, Sweden
. He obtained a bachelor’s degree in 1988 and a doctorate degree in molecular biology
in 1994 at Umeå University
, Sweden. Between 1994 and 1999 he was a visiting research fellow at Salk Institute, La Jolla, USA, followed by five years as assistant professor and head of a research group at the Department of Neurobiology at Harvard Medical School
, Boston
. In 2004 he was appointed professor of biology at Linköping University, focusing on evolutionary biology and molecular genetics
.
Thor’s research team investigates the formation of the nervous system
during embryonic development, i.e. its early development from a fertilized egg cell. Using the fruit fly Drosophila
as a system model, Thor’s research could be significant in the future in the fight against human neurological diseases.
Thor was the 2008 recipient of the prestigious Swedish award, the Göran Gustafsson Prize in molecular biology, and the annual Eric K Fernström Prize, which heralds young, and successful researchers at six Swedish medical faculties.
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
of biology
Biology
Biology is a natural science concerned with the study of life and living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, distribution, and taxonomy. Biology is a vast subject containing many subdivisions, topics, and disciplines...
at Linköping University
Linköping University
Linköping University is a state university in Linköping, Sweden. Linköping University was granted full university status in 1975 and is now one of Sweden's larger academic institutions. Education, research and PhD training are the mission of four faculties: Arts and Sciences, Educational...
.
Stefan Thor was born in Uppsala
Uppsala
- Economy :Today Uppsala is well established in medical research and recognized for its leading position in biotechnology.*Abbott Medical Optics *GE Healthcare*Pfizer *Phadia, an offshoot of Pharmacia*Fresenius*Q-Med...
, Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
. He obtained a bachelor’s degree in 1988 and a doctorate degree in molecular biology
Molecular biology
Molecular biology is the branch of biology that deals with the molecular basis of biological activity. This field overlaps with other areas of biology and chemistry, particularly genetics and biochemistry...
in 1994 at Umeå University
Umeå University
Umeå University is a university in Umeå in the mid-northern region of Sweden. The university was founded in 1965 and is the fifth oldest within Sweden's present borders....
, Sweden. Between 1994 and 1999 he was a visiting research fellow at Salk Institute, La Jolla, USA, followed by five years as assistant professor and head of a research group at the Department of Neurobiology at Harvard Medical School
Harvard Medical School
Harvard Medical School is the graduate medical school of Harvard University. It is located in the Longwood Medical Area of the Mission Hill neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts....
, Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
. In 2004 he was appointed professor of biology at Linköping University, focusing on evolutionary biology and molecular genetics
Molecular genetics
Molecular genetics is the field of biology and genetics that studies the structure and function of genes at a molecular level. The field studies how the genes are transferred from generation to generation. Molecular genetics employs the methods of genetics and molecular biology...
.
Thor’s research team investigates the formation of the nervous system
Nervous system
The nervous system is an organ system containing a network of specialized cells called neurons that coordinate the actions of an animal and transmit signals between different parts of its body. In most animals the nervous system consists of two parts, central and peripheral. The central nervous...
during embryonic development, i.e. its early development from a fertilized egg cell. Using the fruit fly Drosophila
Drosophila
Drosophila is a genus of small flies, belonging to the family Drosophilidae, whose members are often called "fruit flies" or more appropriately pomace flies, vinegar flies, or wine flies, a reference to the characteristic of many species to linger around overripe or rotting fruit...
as a system model, Thor’s research could be significant in the future in the fight against human neurological diseases.
Thor was the 2008 recipient of the prestigious Swedish award, the Göran Gustafsson Prize in molecular biology, and the annual Eric K Fernström Prize, which heralds young, and successful researchers at six Swedish medical faculties.