Nobel laureate Sir John Gurdon will speak on “From Nuclear Transplantation to Prospects for Cell Replacement” on May 16 at noon in the Aresty Auditorium of the Harlyne J. Norris Cancer Research Tower on the Health Sciences Campus.

Gurdon has led significant advances in developmental biology, particularly through his pioneering research in nuclear transplantation and cloning. In the 1960s and ’70s, his seminal experiments demonstrated the viability of animal cloning and laid the foundation for modern stem cell research. His discoveries transformed the understanding of how gene regulation generates cellular diversity with profound implications for stem cell and medical research.

In recognition of his achievements, he was awarded the 2012 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.

Gurdon, who will receive an honorary degree from USC at this month’s commencement, is a professor emeritus at the University of Cambridge and a Distinguished Group Leader at the Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute of Cancer and Developmental Biology.

The free public lecture is sponsored by USC Stem Cell, the Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research at USC, and the Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine at the Keck School of Medicine of USC.

Those unable to attend may watch a live webcast at keckmedia.usc.edu/mediasite/Catalog/catalogs/broad.aspx.