Research on the genome of leukemia involving the CNAG has been awarded as the most important scientific work of Spain in 2011. This prize is a joint initiative of the Grupo Godó and Catalunya Caixa. A scientific advisory committee selected eight candidates from which readers could vote as the most important research done in Spain in 2011. The only selection criterion, as well as excellence, was that the director or the first author of the research worked in a Spanish research center.

Of all voters, 24% selected the genome research of leukemia as the most prominent of the eight finalists. This amount coincides with that of the scientific advisory board of the prize, which also attributed to the CLL project 24% of their votes.The organizers highlight that the CLL project results are redefining the view that doctors have of leukemia, which has emerged as a more complex disease than previously thought. But within this complexity, they have discovered genetic alterations indicating new strategies to combat leukemia.

The award has been collected by Elias Campo and Carlos López Otín, coordinators of the CLL Consortium.

Photograph: CLL cell