Sir Michael Houghton is a distinguished British virologist whose pioneering research has revolutionized the field of viral hepatitis and transformed global blood safety protocols. He currently serves as the Li Ka Shing Professor of Virology at the University of Alberta, where he also directs the Li Ka Shing Applied Virology Institute, having previously held the Canada Excellence Research Chair in Virology from 2010 to 2018. Born in London in 1949 to a working-class family, Houghton demonstrated exceptional academic promise early in life, earning a scholarship to Alleyn's School in Dulwich before pursuing his undergraduate studies. He completed his BSc in Biological Sciences at the University of East Anglia in 1972 and subsequently earned his PhD in Biochemistry from King's College London in 1977, establishing the foundation for his groundbreaking career in virology research.
Houghton's most significant scientific contribution emerged in 1989 when, alongside colleagues Qui-Lim Choo, George Kuo, and Daniel W. Bradley, he successfully identified and isolated the hepatitis C virus (HCV) genome, a landmark discovery that followed his earlier contribution to the discovery of the hepatitis D virus genome while at Chiron Corporation in the 1980s, as noted by authoritative sources including Encyclopedia Britannica and Wikipedia. This breakthrough discovery enabled the rapid development of diagnostic screening tests that reduced the risk of HCV infection from one in three to approximately one in two million transfusions, virtually eliminating hepatitis C contamination of blood supplies worldwide. His work has been credited with preventing an estimated 40,000 new hepatitis C infections annually in the United States alone and countless more globally, representing one of the most significant public health interventions in modern medicine. The identification of HCV also facilitated the development of curative treatments that can now eliminate the viral infection in virtually all patients, transforming hepatitis C from a chronic condition to a curable disease.
In recognition of his transformative contributions, Houghton was jointly awarded the 2020 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine alongside Harvey J. Alter and Charles M. Rice, with the Nobel Committee specifically citing his work for the discovery of the hepatitis C virus. His research continues to advance the field through his ongoing three-decade pursuit of a hepatitis C vaccine, a critical step toward global eradication of the virus. As director of the Applied Virology Institute, Houghton maintains an active research program while mentoring the next generation of virologists and shaping national and international approaches to blood-borne viral diseases. His enduring legacy exemplifies how fundamental virological research can translate into practical medical solutions with profound global health impact, saving millions of lives through improved blood safety and effective treatments.
