Next Wednesday, April 3, marks the 25th anniversary of the death of one of the most illustrious geneticist scientists of the 20th century: Jerome Lejeune, honorary doctor by the University of Navarra in 1974. Lejeune has gone down in history for having discovered that the cause of Down syndrome is due to an extra copy of chromosome 21.

Professor Francisco Javier Novo, Full Professor Genetics the University, recalls that when he joined the department in 1996, he heard one of the stories about Don Álvaro del Amo — director first director department Genetics Dean the School of Science between 1958 and 1964—and his friendship with Professor Lejeune: “Professor del Amo learned the technique of chromosome sortingfrom him, thus becoming a pioneer of cytogenetics in Spain, ”recalls Novo, who in turn had met Jerome Lejeune while studying medicine at the University of Santiago de Compostela. “He was already an acclaimed geneticist. He gave a lecture in the city. Afterward, he held a colloquium university students. I was struck by his elegance and his attention toward everyone, but above all, by a statement that stuck with me: he was confident that within ten years we would have a cure for Down syndrome.”

"I think this reflects his great confidence that the research about this disease - which he enthusiastically promoted - would eventually bear fruit. Unfortunately, when he passed away in 1994, he was unable to see the great illusion of his life come true," adds Professor Novo.

Jerome Lejeune was named honorary doctor by the University of Navarra in 1974, as a result of the partnership close relationship he maintained with the Schools of Science and Medicine. "Remembering his figure, on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of his death on April 3, 2019, must serve as an inspiration for all those who continue to fight to make his dream come true: an effective treatment for those affected by chromosome 21 trisomy," emphasizes Francisco Javier Novo.