Nobel Prize in Medicine awarded for study of human evolution

Nobel Prize in Medicine awarded for study of human evolution



The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to the Swedish biologist Svante Paabo. He received the award for discoveries concerning the genomes of extinct hominids (primates) and human evolution.

AT press release Committee specifies that Mr. Paabo was able to "sequence the genome of the Neanderthal, an extinct relative of modern man." The scientist also found that gene transfer occurred from these now extinct hominins to homo sapiens after migrating out of Africa about 70,000 years ago. “This has physiological implications even today – for example, influencing how our immune system responds to infections,” the Nobel Committee explained.

It is clarified that due to the "extreme technical problems" that arose as a result of DNA degradation over tens of thousands of years and contamination by microorganisms, it was not clear for a long time whether DNA analysis of extinct forms of hominids was possible. “Thanks to Svante's extensive technological developments, Paabo has set new rigorous standards in this challenging field and has succeeded in sequencing the genome of our closest extinct relative, the Neanderthal. This was followed by his sensational discovery of another extinct hominin, the Denisovan. told in the committee.

The news is being added.

2021 Nobel Prize in Medicine awarded American scientists David Julius and Ardem Pataputyan. They received the award "for the discovery of receptors for temperature and touch." Scientists have figured out how nerve impulses are initiated so that temperature and pressure can be sensed. These studies can be usedin particular, in the creation of personalized medicines - for example, painkillers.

Details - in the material "Kommersant-Science" "How pain is born".



Source link