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The Nobel Prize and the miracle molecule.
Nitric Oxide was undiscovered until the mid-1980s, yet the discovery led to a scientific breakthrough and potentially one of the most important molecules in the human body.
Not only was the discovery of the molecule’s existence revolutionary, it also represented an entirely new principle in biological systems: a signaling molecule that, as a gas, penetrates through membranes and regulates the function of another cell.
“The discovery of Nitric Oxide and its function is one of the most important in the history of cardiovascular medicine.”
—President of the American Heart Association, quoted in The New York Times
A molecule that “talks” to other molecules.
Two pharmacologists, Robert F. Furchgott and Louis J. Ignarro together with a physician, Dr. Ferid Murad uncovered an amazing truth – that blood vessels dilate because the endothelial cells in arteries produce a molecule that signals to the surrounding vascular muscle cells “telling” them to relax. They called this signaling molecule EDRF or the endothelium-derived relaxing factor. But what was the factor? It was Nitric Oxide, a gas comprised of one nitrogen molecule and one oxygen molecule – commonly found in our atmosphere.
Backed by worldwide research.
When these early findings were revealed to the scientific community it spawned an avalanche of research studies in laboratories around the world.
Subsequent studies rapidly confirmed that Nitric Oxide is responsible for many critical cardiovascular functions, such as controlling the nervous system, protecting against infection, regulating blood pressure and, most importantly, maintaining optimal circulation. And circulation (the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to all organs in the body) is central to literally every bodily function. Some scientists believe Nitric Oxide is as important to human life as oxygen.
As a result, Furghott, Ignarro and Murad were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology/Medicine for the discovery of Nitric Oxide as a critical signaling molecule in 1998. Over the last 7 years, Neogenis Labs Chief Science Officer, Dr. Nathan Bryan, has collaborated with the Nobel Prize winners researching Nitric Oxide delivery pathways. Through Dr. Bryan’s continued efforts, just twenty years later, their momentous discovery is achieving its potential in helping us live healthier lives.