Breakthrough

[Breakthrough @brkthroughprize]

FORCE OF NATURE: David Gross has been a leading figure in fundamental physics for six decades. In the early 1970s, there was a gap in quantum field theory, our best theory of particles and forces. The theory could not describe or accurately predict the strong nuclear force, which holds the nucleus of the atom together. But in 1973, Gross and his graduate student Frank Wilczek (as well as, independently, David Politzer) solved the mystery. They discovered that the strong force works the opposite way to familiar forces like gravity: it gets weaker as particles approach each other, but stronger as they move apart. This explained why quarks, the particles inside the atomic nucleus, can never escape or be observed in isolation, and it enabled the development of quantum chromodynamics - the theory of the strong force and the final foundation stone of the Standard Model of particle physics.

Gross has gone on to make seminal contributions across multiple areas of theoretical physics. For example, he and his collaborators developed a simplified quantum field theory that helped explain how particles can acquire mass; and developed new theoretical approaches attempting to unify all fundamental forces, including gravity, in a single framework known as heterotic string theory. Alongside his theoretical work, Gross has a longstanding record of leadership in the physics community, in roles including Director of the Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics, and President of the American Physical Society. He has helped establish physics institutes in India, China, and South America. He directed the Jerusalem Winter School in Theoretical Physics and chaired the Solvay Physics Conferences for the last 25 years. In 2025 he was one of the authors of an ambitious 40-year plan for physics on behalf of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. And over the course of his career, he has been a mentor to numerous brilliant students who became leaders themselves, passing on his vision of physics as a collaborative international endeavor.

[Breakthrough @brkthroughprize]

Remarkable progress is being made in life sciences, physics and mathematics. If you think someone leading that progress deserves a Breakthrough Prize, submit a nomination at https://t.co/gGqmPS5JEa. Early career awards are also available in physics and mathematics.

[Breakthrough @brkthroughprize]

INTO THE LIGHT: Jean Bennett, Katherine A. High and Albert Maguire shared the 2026 Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences. This prize recognizes work that led to the first FDA–approved gene replacement therapy. It has transformed the lives of people born with Leber congenital amaurosis, a rare inherited retinal disease that usually results in total blindness in early adulthood, enabling children who had been going blind to gain their independence, attend regular schools, play outside at night, and in some cases even qualify for driver’s licenses.

The therapy replaces the defective RPE65 gene, which produces a malfunctioning version of a protein critical to the visual cycle – the process by which the retina responds to light. The husband-and-wife team of molecular biologist Bennett and ophthalmic surgeon Maguire invented and developed the therapy from first conception to an effective treatment in animal models (including restoring sight to a number of Swedish Briard dogs which they went on to adopt).

In 2005, High, a physician-scientist at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia invited Bennett and Maguire to collaborate on a human trial. High’s laboratory and clinical gene therapy expertise proved crucial in the development of the approved drug, including gaining regulatory approval to conduct the initial clinical trials, and in directing the production and characterization of high-quality viral vector preparations used to introduce the replacement gene. The three physician-scientists worked together to design the pivotal trial, including developing and validating a novel clinical endpoint to measure the vector’s clinical effect.

[Breakthrough @brkthroughprize]

BLOW UP: Frank Merle’s work has significantly advanced the modern understanding of nonlinear evolution equations – the mathematical descriptions of how waves, fluids, and other dynamic systems change over time. His work has a particular focus on singularities: points where solutions to the equations surge to infinity.

[Breakthrough @brkthroughprize]

Rosa Rademakers, 2026 Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences laureate, described the award as an unexpected and deeply meaningful honor. She highlighted how the recognition brings attention to research on rare conditions, including her work identifying a genetic mutation linked to ALS and dementia.

[Breakthrough @brkthroughprize]

Carolina Figueiredo, inaugural Vera Rubin New Frontiers Prize laureate, described the Breakthrough Prize as a unique and inspiring experience, especially as a young scientist. She spoke about the growing presence of women in physics, emphasizing the importance of recognition and community in creating a more welcoming environment. Nominations are now being taken for the 2027 Vera Rubin New Frontiers Prize at https://t.co/9GYO8CW79P.

[Breakthrough @brkthroughprize]

Academy Award–winning directors Ron Howard and Brian Grazer paid tribute to Jim Lovell at the Breakthrough Prize ceremony, honoring his remarkable legacy as an astronaut who journeyed to space four times. Reflecting on his courage, resilience, and leadership in the face of extraordinary challenges, and how his story continues to inspire the world to see further and aim higher.

[Breakthrough @brkthroughprize]

Edward Norton shared his admiration for the scientists honored at the Breakthrough Prize, noting that their achievements reflect lifetimes of perseverance and dedication. He described the event as deeply inspiring, highlighting how these contributions shape society in profound ways and deserve to be widely recognized and celebrated.

[Breakthrough @brkthroughprize]

BEYOND THE WALLS: Cliff Brangwynne and Anthony Hyman Discover a New Cellular Process

[Breakthrough @brkthroughprize]

Stuart Orkin, Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences laureate, reflected on the collective effort behind scientific discovery and emphasized the importance of continued support for foundational science. Watch Octavia Spencer and Sean Penn honor him and Swee Lay Thein: https://t.co/kHNHtu2oze

[Breakthrough @brkthroughprize]

Remarkable progress is being made in life sciences, physics and mathematics. If you think someone leading that progress deserves a Breakthrough Prize, submit a nomination at https://t.co/gGqmPS5JEa. Early career awards are also available in physics and mathematics.

[Breakthrough @brkthroughprize]

The Breakthrough Junior Challenge aims to bring big ideas in life sciences, physics and math to people all over the world. If you are 13-18, choose a concept or theory in mathematics, life sciences, or physics that’s important to understand but challenging to explain and create a 2-minute video to get the idea across in an engaging, illuminating, and imaginative way.
https://t.co/CuFzEpCf4v

[Breakthrough @brkthroughprize]

The 2026 Breakthrough Junior Challenge is on! If you’re 13 to 18 and have a passion for science and math, we’re inviting you to make a short video explaining a key concept, theory or big idea in physics, mathematics or the life sciences. The winner receives a $250,000 college scholarship! Learn more at https://t.co/CuFzEpCf4v.

[Yale Wright Laboratory @yalewrightlab]

Congratulations to @YalePhysicsDept Senior Research Scientist Emeritus Satish Dhawan, who was awarded the @brkthroughprize in Fundamental Physics for his role as a member of the second-generation Muon g-2 collaboration experiment at @BrookhavenLab See:
https://t.co/Q9HmCehUnZ

[Breakthrough @brkthroughprize]

Music legend Lionel Richie expressed his awe at being among some of the world’s leading scientific minds, reflecting on the excitement of learning about innovations shaping the future. He celebrated the importance of recognizing scientists whose work transforms everyday life, noting that the Breakthrough Prize brings these often-unsung pioneers into the spotlight where they belong.

[Breakthrough @brkthroughprize]

A new physics prize, the Vera Rubin New Frontiers Prize, was announced by NVIDIA founder and CEO Jensen Huang and Breakthrough Prize co-founder Yuri Milner. After a tribute to the great astronomer Vera Rubin, who discovered key evidence for dark matter, and in homage to whom NVIDIA’s new chip platform is named, they introduced inaugural laureate Carolina Figueiredo.
https://t.co/A0RPULknJe

[Breakthrough @brkthroughprize]

From life-saving gene therapies to breakthroughs in physics and mathematics, Breakthrough Prize laureates are making the discoveries that transform the world. Hear their stories, explore their discoveries, and meet the innovators: https://t.co/msgDf5XAoU

[Brookhaven Lab @BrookhavenLab]

For 60 years, scientists have been probing the muon with more and more sensitive experiments — searching for possibilities of new physics. Their efforts have earned the 2026 Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics. @brkthroughprize https://t.co/mVilT9LVQ3

[Breakthrough @brkthroughprize]

Matea Cañizares’ video on quark-gluon plasma earned her the 2025 Breakthrough Junior Challenge award. At the Breakthrough Prize, she shared the excitement in attending, noting that the event highlights scientists, fosters collaboration, and brings together people across generations, inspiring young people like herself. Watch her accept the prize at https://t.co/jpPPcAuaEb