Dr Nicola is distinguished for his work on the biochemical characterization of the regulators and their receptors controlling blood cell formation. His purification and characterization of granulocyte colony stimulating factor led to its international use to promote white cell formation in cancer patients. His purification and cloning of the leukaemia inhibitory factor introduced a new class of regulators with diverse control functions in the body. The elegant procedures devised by him for cloning the receptors for haemopoietic growth factors has defined this new class of receptors. His work has significantly advanced our understanding of blood cell formation.
