The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded jointly to David Julius and Ardem Patapoutian “for their discoveries of receptors for temperature and touch” on Monday.
Their work sheds light on how heat, cold and touch can initiate signals in the nervous system and the way to reduce chronic and acute pain associated with a range of diseases, trauma and treatments.
“The seminal discoveries by this year’s Nobel Prize laureates in physiology or medicine have explained how heat, cold and touch can initiate signals in our nervous system. The identified ion channels are important for many physiological processes and disease conditions,” it was noted.
The prestigious award comes with a gold medal and 10 million Swedish kronor (over $1.14 million).
