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John Jacob AbelAmerican biochemist and pharmacologist
Date of Birth: 19.05.1857
Country:  USA |
Content:
- John Jacob Abel: American Biochemist and Pharmacologist
- Establishment of Pharmacology in the US
- Journal Foundations
- Development of Hemodialysis Apparatus
- Term "Plasmapheresis"
- Late Career and Honors
John Jacob Abel: American Biochemist and Pharmacologist
Early Life and EducationJohn Jacob Abel was born in 1857 near Cleveland, Ohio. He graduated from the University of Michigan in 1883.
Establishment of Pharmacology in the US
In 1891, Abel founded and became the first Head of the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Michigan. He was a pioneer in the field, establishing pharmacology as an independent discipline in the United States.
Journal Foundations
Abel was instrumental in establishing two scientific journals:The Journal of Biological Chemistry (1905)
The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (1909)
Scientific Discoveries
Isolation of Adrenaline and Amino Acids
Abel's research on the chemical composition of body tissues led to his discovery of adrenaline in 1898. He also became the first to isolate amino acids from blood.
Development of Hemodialysis Apparatus
Abel conducted experiments on dogs with removed kidneys, developing the first apparatus for hemodialysis. While effective in removing nitrogenous compounds from the blood, its small filtering membrane limited its practical application in humans.
Term "Plasmapheresis"
In 1914, Abel coined the term "plasmapheresis" to describe the process of selectively removing plasma from the body.
Late Career and Honors
Abel was elected to the National Academy of Sciences (1912), the German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina (1925), and the Royal Society of London (1938). He continued to make significant contributions to the field until his death in 1938.
Abel's legacy includes his role in establishing pharmacology in the United States, his discovery of adrenaline and amino acids, and his development of the initial concept of hemodialysis and plasmapheresis.
