Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2021 - Discoveries of receptors for temperature and touch

Somatic sensation, one of the phylogenetically oldest sensory systems and a fundamental aspect of human existence, helps us sense and adapt to the environment. Somatic sensation is essential for our everyday tasks that we perform with ease. It is this sense that allows us to feel the breeze, sense the texture of a surface, the heat of a stove or a glass of cold water and many more. This may appear straightforward, but have you ever wondered about the biological mechanisms and pathways involved in bringing about these actions?

The Nobel laureates in Physiology or Medicine for 2021, Dr. David Julius and Dr. Ardem Patapoutian have unraveled the mystery of the receptors or molecular transducers involved in converting sensations like heat, cold and touch into nerve impulses.

Dr. Julius, professor at University of California, San Francisco, used capsaicin, a chemical compound that makes chilli pepper spicy, to study skin’s perception of temperature and led to the discovery of a novel ion channel that responds to temperatures sensed as painful.

Dr. Patapoutian, professor at Scripps Research, California identified two mechanically-activated ion channels necessary for our perception of touch.

These ground-breaking findings will provide new insights and understanding into the molecular pathways that enable us to sense, perceive, and adjust to environmental stimuli.