Dr. Bruce N. Ames, Ph.D. is a renowned scientist with a distinguished academic background, and a Juvenon co-founder. He is a Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of California, Berkeley. Dr. Ames is also Senior Scientist, Children’s Hospital of Oakland Research Institute. He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences and he was on their Commission on Life Sciences. He was a member of the board of directors of the National Cancer Institute, the National Cancer Advisory Board, from 1976 to 1982. Dr. Ames was the recipient of a leading award for cancer research, the General Motors Cancer Research Foundation Prize (1983), a leading award in environmental achievement, the Tyler Prize (1985), the Gold Medal Award of the American Institute of Chemists (1991), the Glenn Foundation Award of the Gerontological Society of America (1992), and the Lovelace Institutes Award for Excellence in Environmental Health Research (1995), the Achievement in Excellence Award of the Center for Excellence in Education (1996), the Honda Prize of the Honda Foundation, Japan (1996), the Japan Prize, (1997), and the Kehoe Award, American College of Occupational and Environmental Med. (1997), the Medal of the City of Paris (1998), the Joseph Priestley Award (1998), and the U.S. National Medal of Science (1998). His over 540+ publications have resulted in his being among the few hundred most-cited scientists in all fields: 23rd most cited (1973-1984).
Professor Ames has been the international leader in the field of mutagenesis and genetic toxicology for over 40 years. His work has had a major impact on, and changed the direction of, basic and applied research on mutation, cancer, and aging. The development of the Ames mutagenicity test as a practical tool for the detection of potential carcinogens has led to its use in over 3000 laboratories and in all of the major drug and chemical companies, where it has had a major influence in weeding out mutagenic chemicals while it is cheap to do so and before they are introduced into commerce. The current research of Dr. Ames’ on cells focuses on the oxidative damage to DNA and its relationship to mutagenesis, carcinogenesis and the degenerative diseases of aging. His main interest is in the prevention of cancer and other degenerative diseases of aging.