Nobel Prize for Medicine

In News 

  • Recently, the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2021 was awarded jointly to David Julius and Ardem Patapoutian “for their discoveries of receptors for temperature and touch.

Why were they awarded?

Image Courtesy: TH

  • Julius discovered TRPV1, a heat-sensing receptor, while Patapoutian discovered two mechanosensitive ion channels known as the Piezo channels.
    • In 1997, Dr Julius and his team published a paper in Nature detailing how capsaicin, or the chemical compound in chilli peppers, causes the burning sensation. 
    • They created a library of DNA fragments to understand the corresponding genes and finally discovered a new capsaicin receptor and named it TRPV1. This discovery paved the way for the identification of many other temperature-sensing receptors.

  • Both David Julius and Ardem Patapoutian identified another new receptor called TRPM8, a receptor that is activated by cold. 
    • A paper published in Cell in 2002 by Dr. Patapoutian and team explains that this new receptor is specifically expressed in a subset of pain-and-temperature-sensing neurons.
    • Ardem Patapoutian further studied if these receptors can be activated by mechanical stimuli. 
    • His team poked cells with a micropipette and identified a cell line that produced an electric signal in response. 
    • They identified a single gene, which when silenced made the cells insensitive to the poking. 
      • They named this new mechanosensitive ion channel Piezo1.

Significance: 

  • This knowledge [of the TRPV1, TRPM8 and Piezo channels] is being used to develop treatments for a wide range of disease conditions, including chronic pain.

Nobel Prize 

  • On 27 November 1895, Alfred Nobel signed his last will and testament, giving the largest share of his fortune to a series of prizes in physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, literature and peace – the Nobel Prizes. 
    • In 1968, Sveriges Riksbank (Sweden’s central bank) established The Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel.
  • It was first awarded in 1901.
  • It is an international award administered by the Nobel Foundation in Stockholm, Sweden, and based on the fortune of Alfred Nobel, a Swedish inventor and entrepreneur.

Source: DTE

 

Other News of the Day

In News Recently, the Prime Minister launched the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) mobile application on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti (2nd October). The app would enable anyone to fund the provision of tap water in rural parts of India. Jal Jeevan Mission About: JJM envisages a supply of 55 litres of water per person per...
Read More

In News The Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) celebrated World Animal Day 2021 on 4th October About World Animal Day 2021 Aim: To raise awareness about the importance of animals in the ecosystem and improve their welfare standards.  To address the plight of animals, both wild and domestic, and initiate better efforts towards their...
Read More

In News  Recently, the Uttar Pradesh government named actor Kangana Ranaut as the brand ambassador of its ambitious ‘one district-one product’ programme. About  One District One Product (ODOP) is an initiative that is seen as a transformational step forward towards realizing the true potential of a district, fueling economic growth and generating employment and rural...
Read More

In News  Recently, the Vice President of India advised the North-Eastern Council to propel the NE region on a resurgent phase of accelerated development by quickly resolving issues that have been impeding its progress. About North Eastern Council (NEC) It is the nodal agency for the economic and social development of the North Eastern Region...
Read More

In News In an incident, a man was hit by a peafowl (pavocristatus) while driving a bike, which has turned the spotlight on the increasing population of peafowls in the Kerela state. Peafowl Species About: The term "peacock" is commonly used to refer to birds of both sexes. Technically, only males are peacocks. Females are...
Read More

In News  The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has proposed several amendments to the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 (FCA), which may enable infrastructure projects to come up in the forest areas more easily. About  The government has proposed absolving agencies involved in national security projects and border infrastructure projects from obtaining prior...
Read More

In News Recently, the Union Minister of India addressed the International Conference commemorating the signing of the Madrid Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty. About India has completed 30 years of adoption of signing and implementation of the Madrid Protocol, which reaffirms its commitment to preserving Antarctic environmental and dependent ecosystems. India is...
Read More

In News Recently, Pakistan has discussed Taliban-led Afghanistan joining the multibillion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) infrastructure project. About the issue China has proposed the construction of the Peshawar-Kabul motorway as an extension of CPEC in Afghanistan. Taliban takeover of Afghanistan and China emerging as a major challenge in the form of the extension of its...
Read More

In News  Recently, the Council of Scientific And Industrial Research National Geophysical Research Institute (CSIRNGRI) has launched an ‘Environmental Seismology’ group to develop a ‘Landslide and Flood Early Warning System’ for the Himalayan region. Relevancy Its need was necessitated following the flash floods at Chamoli district in February when a steep glacier on the Nandadevi...
Read More

In News Recently, Tax Inspectors Without Borders (TIWB) launched its programme in Seychelles.  India was chosen as the Partner Administration and has provided a Tax Expert for this programme. About the Programme This programme is expected to be of 12 months duration. In this duration, India will collaborate with the TIWB Secretariat and the UNDP...
Read More

In News Recently, the Prime Minister has launched the second phases of Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban (SBM-U) and Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT). Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban (SBM-U) About: It was announced by the PM on 15th August 2014 but the mission was formally launched on 2nd October 2014. Objectives: Eradication of open defecation...
Read More