FLICKR, IMAGES_OF_MONEYEleven biologists were yesterday (February 20) rewarded with $3 million each as the first recipients of the Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences—a new award set up by a trio of Silicon Valley big shots to recognize and support research into understanding and curing diseases.

The award—which offers more than twice the cash of a Nobel Prize—is organized by Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, Google co-founder Sergei Brin, and venture capitalist Yuri Milner. The idea was to make a statement that life scientists are important, to raise awareness of their achievements, and to encourage a new generation of molecular biologists and geneticists, Milner told The Guardian. “Young people will hopefully get the message that not only the careers in sports or entertainment can get public recognition,” he said.

This year’s recipients, who are free to use the money as they please, include Cornelia Bargmann, who investigates neural circuits and...