The achievements of this year's laureates in physiology and medicine were addressed by: Prof. Anna Kostera-Pruszczyk - Head of the Chair and Department of Neurology UCC MUW, Prof. Grzegorz Basak – Head of the Chair and Department of Hematology, Transplantation and Internal Medicine UCC MUW and Prof. Jacek Malejczyk – head of the Chair and Department of Histology and Embryology, Centre for Biostructure.
This year the Medical Nobel went to two scientists: David Julius and Ardem Patapoutian for their discovery of temperature and touch receptors.
-The awardees conducted their research in the mid-1990s in the United States. The object of their interest became the senses, that is what relates to each of us individually. This time the award was given for the discovery of receptors by means of which we feel temperature or pain - said Prof. Grzegorz Basak.
According to Prof. Anna Kostera-Pruszczyk, getting to know these receptors and the mechanism of operation of temperature sensation and touch will be a very important tool in the fight against something that is becoming an increasing challenge for modern medicine - diseases associated with sensory disorders. For example, diabetic neuropathy, nowadays called an epidemic, which affects more and more people in the civilized, prosperous world.
- The Nobel Committee has awarded a discovery that is not spectacular but is long-lasting and leads to the understanding of important elements and functions of our body - said Prof. Jacek Malejczyk. He also explained that these receptors have been known for a long time, but Nobel laureates have learned how cells can receive such information.
In the week preceding the announcement of the Nobel Prize winners, a series of three debates under the slogan #Careful for the Future - about the challenges of today's world was organized for journalists and specialists from the fields of science and business. One of them, entitled Medicine-Society-Trust, was devoted to the social responsibility of science in the context of medical development and the challenges that accompany it. The guest of the meeting was Prof. Leszek Czupryniak - Head of the Department of Diabetology and Internal Medicine UCC MUW. Our expert, referring to the problem of declining public trust very evident in the pandemic, stressed that trust is the key to conducting adequate treatment. It is essential in both the patient-doctor and doctor-patient relationship.
