The highest award of the Russian Academy of Sciences for 2001 goes to Academician Alexander Spirin

The highest award of the Russian Academy of Sciences for 2001 - the Lomonosov Grand Gold Medal - has been given to Academician Alexander Spirin, a well-known microbiologist, for his fundamental contribution to the study of the protein synthesis. The award was presented at the General Meeting of the Russian Academy of Sciences in Moscow on Wednesday. According to the Academy's tradition, the prize winner delivered a scientific report. The second Lomonosov Gold Medal was awarded to the Academy's foreign member, Professor Alexander Rich (USA) for his achievements in the same sphere. Professor Rich has not yet arrived in Moscow, therefore the presentation of the medal and his report will take place on May 18th, the last day of the Academy's General Meeting which opened in Moscow on Wednesday.