Nobel Prize in Medicine Is br Awarded for Cell Discovery The prize was awarded to br three physician-scientists "for br their discoveries of how cells sense br and adapt to oxygen availability." Gregg L. Semenza, William G. br Kaelin Jr. and Peter J. Ratcliffe br hail from the U.S. and Britain. According to the Nobel Committee, br the discovery gives detail to “one of br life’s most essential adaptive processes." The discovery of how cells br respond to oxygen was br decades in the making. It has real-world application br including cancer treatment br and the treatment of strokes. The three scientists were br notified of the award by phone. The $900,000 cash award br will be split among them equally.