Maps of the infant universe and understanding the proteins involved in neurological disease are among the scientific achievements honored by this year’s Breakthrough Prizes in fundamental physics, life sciences, and mathematics. Announced Sunday and presented during a star-studded award ceremony at NASA’s Ames Research Center, the Breakthrough Prizes bestow $3 million upon the winners. It’s the largest purse offered in the world of science prizes.

"Science is not merely a topic in a textbook," actor Morgan Freeman said during the award ceremony. "Science is a way of thinking ...powerful, but fragile."