:quality(85)//cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/infobae/4KJUUZLXINBXXN5SVEXQHQPB6E.jpg "Nobel Prize 2021 in Medicine: Americans David Julius and Ardem Patapoutian win")
David Julius and Ardem Patapoutian were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for “for their discoveries of receptors for temperature and touch.”
The award is one of the most sought after global recognitions and grants entry to one of the most prestigious clubs in the world.
The Nobel Assembly said in a press release Monday that “the fundamental discoveries of this year’s Nobel laureates in physiology or medicine have explained how heat, cold and touch can initiate signals in our nervous system. The ion channels identified are important for many physiological processes and diseases.”
The history of the Nobel
In 1895, Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite, created a fund that would give most of his fortune to those who serve humanity.
Today, the Nobel laureates recognize outstanding achievements in the fields of Physics, Chemistry, Medicine, Literature, Peace, and Economic Sciences.
Between 1901 and 2019, almost 600 awards were awarded.
Nobel’s will stated that a portion of his fund would go to “the person who has made the most important discovery within the domain of physiology or medicine.”
What’s coming
The Nobel Prizes in Medicine, Physics and Chemistry are the pinnacle of scientific achievement, honoring great minds and life-changing discoveries.
The last two will be announced on Tuesday and Wednesday respectively, followed by the Nobel Prize for Literature on Thursday, the Peace Prize on Friday and the Prize for Economic Sciences next Monday.