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Bengt Ingemar SamuelssonSwedish biochemist, Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, 1982
Date of Birth: 21.05.1934
Country:  Sweden |
Content:
- Bengt Samuelsson: A Pioneer in Prostaglandin Research
- Prostaglandin Studies
- Endoperoxides and Thromboxanes
- Leukotrienes and Anti-Inflammatory Mechanisms
- Recognition and Legacy
- Later Career and Achievements
Bengt Samuelsson: A Pioneer in Prostaglandin Research
Early Life and EducationBengt Ingemar Samuelsson, the Swedish biochemist who shared the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1982, was born in the port city of Halmstad, Sweden. He pursued his education at Lund University's medical college and later joined the research laboratory of Sune Bergström, a professor of physiological chemistry.
Prostaglandin Studies
In 1958, Samuelsson moved with Bergström's research team to the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm. While studying medicine and biochemistry, he focused on prostaglandins, a group of biological compounds discovered by gynecologists in 1930. Bergström had isolated and defined the chemical formulas of two prostaglandins in the late 1950s.
Working with Bergström, Samuelsson delved into the biochemistry of prostaglandins. He established that these compounds are produced from arachidonic acid, a fatty acid found in certain meats and plant products. He also elucidated the pathway of prostaglandin formation, identifying endoperoxides as an intermediate step.
Endoperoxides and Thromboxanes
Samuelsson's discoveries continued in the 1970s. He found that one of the endoperoxides is converted in platelets into a substance he named thromboxane. Aspirin's ability to inhibit the activity of one of the thromboxanes led to its use in low doses to prevent blood clotting in patients at high risk of myocardial infarction.
Leukotrienes and Anti-Inflammatory Mechanisms
Another significant finding by Samuelsson was the identification of leukotrienes, produced in white blood cells (leukocytes) from arachidonic acid. These substances suppress asthma attacks and prevent anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction. Leukotrienes also promote blood vessel and airway constriction, and increase vascular permeability, causing tissue swelling.
Recognition and Legacy
In 1982, Samuelsson, along with Bergström and John R. Vane, received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for "their discoveries concerning prostaglandins and related biologically active substances." Samuelsson's contributions illuminated the complex interactions of these compounds and their impact on various medical conditions.
Later Career and Achievements
Despite his Nobel Prize, Samuelsson has continued his research. He served as rector of the Karolinska Institute and became a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Samuelsson has also received numerous awards, including the Anders Jahre Award in Medicine and the Albert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research.
