RALEIGH – Governor Pat McCrory issued the following statement after two professors, Paul Modrich of Duke University and Aziz Sancar of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, shared the Nobel Prize in chemistry.

“The awarding of the Nobel Prize to professors Modich and Sancar illuminates the quality of research that North Carolina is known for,” Governor McCrory said. “Their work is not only a source of pride, but a reminder that we must keep North Carolina a place where innovation is nurtured and developed for the betterment of all.”

The two North Carolina professors shared the prize with Swedish scientist Tomas Lindahl for their work in demonstrating how cells repair damaged DNA. The three scientists were awarded the prize for their separate work in the field which is used for the development of new cancer treatments.