<p>Blumberg died of an apparent heart attack while attending a NASA conference in California on Tuesday, the US space agency said in a statement.<br /><br />"Barry Blumberg was a great biochemist and researcher," said Ames Center Director Pete Worden.<br /><br />"He was a leading light in the scientific community and a great humanitarian. He also was a loyal and supportive friend to NASA, Ames Research Center and the nation's space program."<br /><br />Blumberg headed the NASA Astrobiology Institute from 1999 to 2002, and won the 1976 Nobel Prize in Medicine for identifying the Hepatitis B virus. He shared the prize that year with D. Carleton Gajdusek, who was known for his work on infectious viral diseases. Gajdusek, who pled guilty to one charge of molesting a young boy and served jail time for pedophilia, died in 2008.<br /><br />Blumberg was described as a "great man" by former NASA Administrator Daniel Goldin. "Barry saved lives through his research on the Hepatitis B virus. He also inspired a whole generation of people worldwide through his work in building the NASA Astrobiology Institute," he said.<br /><br />"Our planet is an improved place as a result of Barry's few short days in residence." Astrobiology is the study of life in the universe and the search for life forms beyond what is known on Earth.</p>
<p>Blumberg died of an apparent heart attack while attending a NASA conference in California on Tuesday, the US space agency said in a statement.<br /><br />"Barry Blumberg was a great biochemist and researcher," said Ames Center Director Pete Worden.<br /><br />"He was a leading light in the scientific community and a great humanitarian. He also was a loyal and supportive friend to NASA, Ames Research Center and the nation's space program."<br /><br />Blumberg headed the NASA Astrobiology Institute from 1999 to 2002, and won the 1976 Nobel Prize in Medicine for identifying the Hepatitis B virus. He shared the prize that year with D. Carleton Gajdusek, who was known for his work on infectious viral diseases. Gajdusek, who pled guilty to one charge of molesting a young boy and served jail time for pedophilia, died in 2008.<br /><br />Blumberg was described as a "great man" by former NASA Administrator Daniel Goldin. "Barry saved lives through his research on the Hepatitis B virus. He also inspired a whole generation of people worldwide through his work in building the NASA Astrobiology Institute," he said.<br /><br />"Our planet is an improved place as a result of Barry's few short days in residence." Astrobiology is the study of life in the universe and the search for life forms beyond what is known on Earth.</p>