Dr Andrea Brand has been awarded the prestigious Rosalind Franklin award for her groundbreaking contributions to the fields of developmental biology, gene regulation and neurobiology.

Dr Brand and her team are investigating the development of the nervous system using the fruit fly Drosophila as a model. Her work has provided insights into the molecular biology of stem cells in the nervous system (neural stem cells), with the ultimate aim to direct the cells to regenerate after injury.

It is hoped that her work will uncover new drug targets for disorders such as Parkinson’s and Huntington’s disease.

"I am truly honoured to receive the Rosalind Franklin Award. I was inspired to become a molecular biologist at the age of 15 after reading about Rosalind Franklin's work on solving the structure of DNA," said Dr Brand.

"I am delighted to be part of an effort to encourage young people to learn about science. It is a wonderful opportunity to demonstrate what a terrific contribution women have made, and will continue to make, to the field."

The award is made to an individual for an outstanding contribution to any area of natural science, engineering or technology (SET). As well as being a current researcher, the winner also undertakes a project to raise the profile of women in science.

Cambridge researcher Professor Carol Robinson, Department of Chemistry, was awarded the medal in 2004 for her significant contribution to biological mass spectrometry.

Rosalind Franklin was herself a great female scientist who discovered the first clear experimental evidence for the helical structure of DNA. Tragically, Franklin died from cancer aged 37.

The 1962 Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine was subsequently awarded to Maurice Wilkins, Francis Crick and James Watson for their work on DNA. By naming this Award in her honour, the Society is recognising her achievements both as a scientist and as a role model for female scientists today.

As the 2006 winner of the Rosalind Franklin award, Dr Brand will receive a medal and £30,000 which will be used to buy a laser to study how neural cells regenerate after damage.

Professor Smith, Chairman of the Gurdon Institute, said: "I am delighted to hear that Andrea's beautiful and pioneering work on the development of the embryonic nervous system has been recognised by the Royal Society's Rosalind Franklin Award: it is richly deserved."

"I very much look forward to the lecture series Andrea is organising next year, and especially to the events of Science Week, when some of our finest women scientists will speak to young people in the Cambridge area. The Gurdon Institute will do everything possible to support her in these activities."

Dr Brand is the Director of Research in Developmental Neurobiology at the Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute and the Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience at Cambridge University.

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