© Joaquín Salguero
The Argentine researcher Alberto Kornblihtt was elected one of the 16 new members of the French Academy of Sciences as a foreign member in the Molecular and Cell Genomic Biology section.
“Following the elections opened in 2021, the Academy of Sciences has just elected 16 new foreign associates. Foreign associates contribute to the international reputation of the Academy and their number cannot exceed 150,” the institution said in a statement.
The ceremony for the reception of the new elected officials “will take place on June 14, 2022, under the dome of the Institut de France “, added the Academy.
Who is Alberto Kornblihtt
The researcher was born in Buenos Aires on June 30, 1954. He is molecular biologist, researcher at Conicet, professor at the Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences of the UBA and director of the Institute of Physiology, Molecular Biology and Neurosciences (Ifibyne)
Since 1997 he has directed his research laboratory in the Department of Physiology and Molecular Biology of the Faculty.
The central theme of his research is one of the Mechanisms of Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) modifications called “alternative splicing”, by which a single gene is capable of generating many proteins.
He is the author of more than 100 papers published in international journals that have received more than 14,000 citations and has given numerous conferences and seminars.
On May 31, 2018, Kornblihtt participated in the fifteenth day of debate on the Law of Voluntary Interruption of Pregnancy in Argentina in the 15th plenary of commissions of Congress, expressing its position in favor of legalization.
“The pregnant woman must have the option and the right to terminate the pregnancy prematurely. On the contrary becomes a kind of slave to her embryo because of social or religious conventions, which are not conditional on the gradualness of intrauterine development “, he said at that time.
Created in 1666, the French Academy of Sciences is a assembly of scientists, chosen from among the most distinguished French and foreign specialists. Examines the political, ethical, and social issues surrounding current and future scientific issues.
In the early 2000s, it amended its bylaws to rejuvenate its staff, so that during each election session at least 50 percent of new members are under 55 years of age.
The Academy currently has 277 members, 122 foreign associates and 63 correspondents.
