Renato Dulbecco

Renato Dulbecco received the 1975 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for discoveries concerning the interaction between tumor viruses and the genetic material of the cell. His work on polyomavirus and SV40 transformation of cells provided foundational insights into how viruses introduce oncogenic information into host DNA, establishing the conceptual framework for viral oncology. He pioneered the quantitative plaque assay for animal viruses and championed early sequencing of the human genome for cancer research purposes. His legacy shaped the molecular oncology revolution of the late 20th century.