诺奖官网对2015年诺贝尔化学奖得主莫德里奇的采访

Interview with Paul Modrich

[Paul Modrich] Hello.

[Adam Smith] Hello, this is Adam Smith. So where am I calling you?

[Paul Modrich] We’re in New Hampshire. We have a little cabin in the woods in New Hampshire and we’re on vacation. Our last day is actually tomorrow. So this was sort of a shock.  

[Adam Smith] And there was you thinking you’d got away from it all.

[Paul Modrich] We thought so.

[Adam Smith] So how did the news reach you in your cabin?

[Paul Modrich] I started getting emails about 6.30 this morning and I got stunned… I... difficult to believe actually. 

[Adam Smith] So, apart from being stunned, what was your first reaction?

[Paul Modrich] Shock, I guess. Surprise. Excitement. I’m not a very eloquent speaker, very...

[Adam Smith] I think you’ve said that very well. But it’s funny that you’ve escaped up there because presumably Duke University is sort of keen to get hold of you and do a press conference, but there you are.

[Paul Modrich] I’m in the right place at the right time. 

[Adam Smith] Exactly. Yes, so in fact if you shut off your telephones you’re completely free for a day.

[Paul Modrich] Exactly.

[Adam Smith] Presumably the last free day you’ll have for many days.

[Paul Modrich] I hope not. Actually, our plans tomorrow were driving back through Boston and we plan to stop and visit the person I post-docked with actually, many, many years ago, Charles Richardson. 

[Adam Smith] Well, that will be a nice surprise for everybody. There’ll be Nobel celebrations as well as your visit.

[Paul Modrich] Well, we’ll see. The people are the important thing.

[Adam Smith] Exactly. It’s a lovely recognition of the field of DNA repair, this Prize.

[Paul Modrich] It is. And I think the field, for many years, didn’t receive the attention I think that it really deserved and it’s important, I think now, unequivocally established for controlling the production of mutation both in a positive and negative way.

[Adam Smith] Of course, we’re very much looking forward to welcoming you to Stockholm in December.

[Paul Modrich] When, in December?

[Adam Smith] So the awards ceremony itself is on 10th December in Stockholm in deepest darkest winter, but the Swedes know well how to deal with dark. And then there are a number of days of activities, including a lecture you’ll be asked to give, leading up to that.

[Paul Modrich] OK. Certainly.

[Adam Smith] Many, many congratulations, and so nice to talk to you.

[Paul Modrich] Thank you so much, a pleasure talking to you.

[Adam Smith] Thank you, bye bye.