– Bruce Beutler’s work has greatly inspired scientists at NTNU, in particular researchers at Centre of Molecular Inflammation Research (CEMIR). We are very pleased that he has been awarded an honorary doctorate.
These were CEMIR director Terje Espevik’s words when Professor Bruce Beutler was awarded the degree of Doctor Honoris Causa (æresdoktor) at NTNU on 20th March 2015.
Professor Bruce Beutler (in the middle) at the honorary Doctorate ceremony March 20th with Professors Magne Børset, Anders Waage, Terje Espevik, rector Gunnar Bovim and Dean at Faculty of Medicine Stig Slørdahl.
Professor Beutler received the honorary doctorate in a formal ceremony during the Annual Doctoral Promotion in the Aula in the Main administrative building at Gløshaugen.
Photos and video recordings from the ceremony
In his speech to Professor Beutler CEMIR director Terje Espevik said:
“Our newly established Centre of Excellence, CEMIR, is looking forward to further interactions with Dr. Beutler in this important research field. The appointment of Beutler recognizes his significant contributions to understanding how innate immune cell receptors regulate inflammatory responses. He discovered an important family of sensors in immune cells called Toll-like receptors that allow us to sense danger signals from microbes and damaged cells.
When Toll-like receptors are engaged by microbes or damaged host cells, they trigger a powerful inflammatory response that is needed for removing the insult and repair the damage.
For this work Beutler received the 2011 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. Bruce Beutler’s groundbreaking discoveries about sensors in our innate immune system that recognize bacteria have led to an explosion of research on this theme.”
Beutler said he was glad for the important cooperation with key investigators at the Faculty of Medicine, and was impressed by the outstanding level of science produced at the faculty.
Read more about the appointment in an earlier blog: Honorary doctorate to Nobel Laurate Bruce Beutler