The Jury for the 1999 Prince of Asturias Award for Technical and Scientific Research, convened in Oviedo, comprised of Mr. José Luis Álvarez Margaride, Mr. Manuel Cardona Castro, Mr. Antonio Cueto Espinar, Mr. Antonio Fernández-Rañada Menéndez de Luarca, Mr. Amable Liñán Martínez, Mr. Juan José López-Ibor Aliño, Ms. María del Carmen Maroto Vela, Mr. César Nombela Cano, Mr. Rafael Puyol Antolín, Mr. Julio Rodríguez Fernández, Mr. Amador Schüller Pérez, Mr. Raúl Villar Lázaro, chaired by Mr. Julio Rodríguez Villanueva, with Mr. José Antonio Martínez-Álvarez as secretary, has decided unanimously to grant the 1999 Prince of Asturias Award for Technical and Scientific Research to researchers in two fields or paramount importance to Biomedical Science - Neurobiology and organ transplants -, doctors Ricardo Miledi (Mexico) and Enrique Moreno González (Spain).

Dr. Miledi´s studies in the field of Neurophysiology, particularly those related to the molecular characterisation of neurotransmission receptors, are essential to understanding how information is transmitted in the nervous system, and its response to, and the effect of, medicines and toxic substances.

Dr. Moreno´s work on portal hypertension and malignant tumours in the digestive system and the development of innovative surgical techniques for this pathology, including liver transplants, has contributed decisively to the fight against these conditions.

Through the award-winners, the Jury wishes to exemplify the fundamental complementary nature of medical research in its basic and clinical facets, and in the development of pharmacological and surgical technology.

The award-winners are leading figures in their respective fields, and university lectures of world-wide prestige, particularly in the sphere of Latin America.

The award-winners´ lines of research have been particularly encouraged and promoted in Mexico and Spain and are a basis for progress in the knowledge and treatment of processes of major clinical and social importance.