Nobel Prize honors American scientists David Julius and Ardem Patapoutian for discovery of temperature and touch receptors

STOCKHOLM – The Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine has been awarded to American scientists David Julius and Ardem Patapoutian.

They have been cited for their discovery of receptors for temperature and touch.

The winners were announced Monday by Thomas Perlmann, secretary general of the Nobel committee.

Patrik Ernfors of the Nobel Committee said Julius, 65, used capsaicin, the active component in chili peppers, to identify nerve sensors that allow the skin to respond to heat.

Patapoutian has found separate pressure-sensitive sensors in cells that respond to mechanical stimulation, he said.

“It really opens up one of nature’s secrets,” Perlmann said. “It’s actually something that is crucial to our survival, so it’s a very important and profound discovery.”

The couple also shared the prestigious Kavli Prize for Neuroscience last year.

Last year’s Nobel Prize in Medicine was awarded to three scientists who discovered the hepatitis C virus devastating the liver, a breakthrough that has led to cures for the deadly disease and tests to prevent the plague to spread in blood banks.

The prestigious award is accompanied by a gold medal and 10 million Swedish kronor (over $ 1.14 million). The prize money comes from a bequest left by the creator of the prize, Swedish inventor Alfred Nobel, who died in 1895.

The prize is the first to be awarded this year. The other prizes recognize outstanding work in the fields of physics, chemistry, literature, peace and economics.