Medicine Nobel goes to scientists who discovered biology of senses

Two researchers who discovered the molecular basis for our ability to sense temperature and touch have won this year’s Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.

Physiologist David Julius at the University of California in San Francisco used capsaicin — the compound that gives chili peppers their gustatory kick — to track down a protein called TRPV1 that responds to painful heat. Molecular biologist Ardem Patapoutian at Scripps Research in La Jolla, California, identified receptors in skin and other organs that respond to mechanical forces, such as those generated by touch and pressure.

In addition to explaining the basic biology of senses, the findings have potential medical applications: researchers are looking for compounds that target some of the proteins Julius and Patapoutian discovered as a way to combat chronic pain.

The prize was announced at just after 2:30am California time, and the Nobel Prize committee struggled to reach both winners, said Thomas Perlmann, secretary-general of the Nobel Committee. But with “the help of one father and one sister-in-law”, the committee was able to track down the winners and speak quickly with them before the announcement. “They were incredibly happy,” Perlmann told reporters. “And as far as I could tell, they were very surprised.”

This is a breaking news story and will be updated with further details.