Bengt I. Samuelsson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bengt Samuelsson
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| Born |
Bengt Ingemar Samuelsson
21 May 1934 Halmstad, Sweden
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| Died | 7 July 2024 (age 90) Stockholm, Sweden
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| Nationality | Swedish |
| Alma mater | Lund University |
| Known for | prostaglandins |
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| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Biochemistry |
Bengt Ingemar Samuelsson (born May 21, 1934 – died July 7, 2024) was a famous Swedish biochemist. He won the 1982 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. He shared this important award with Sune K. Bergström and John R. Vane. They won for their amazing discoveries about substances called prostaglandins and similar compounds.
Early Life and Studies
Bengt Samuelsson was born in Halmstad, a town in southwest Sweden. He studied at Lund University. In 1973, he became a professor of medical and physiological chemistry. This was at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm.
From 1982 to 1995, he was the president of the Karolinska Institute. Later, from 1993 to 2005, he was the chairman of the Nobel Foundation. This foundation is in charge of the Nobel Prizes.
Important Research
Samuelsson's main research focused on special substances in the body. These substances are called prostaglandins. He explained that they are like a "control system for the cells." They help with many important body functions.
His early research looked at how cholesterol works in the body. Later, he focused on how arachidonic acid changes. This led to finding new compounds. These included endoperoxides, thromboxanes, and leukotrienes.
His team studied how these compounds work. They looked at their chemistry, biochemistry, and biology. They also studied how they control body systems. This research has been very helpful in medicine. It has helped us understand and treat problems like thrombosis (blood clots), inflammation (swelling), and allergy (bad reactions to things).
The study of these compounds has grown a lot. Between 1981 and 1995, thousands of research papers were published. These papers specifically talked about prostaglandins and related terms.
Samuelsson also served on the boards of several companies. These included Pharmacia AB and NicOx SA. He also advised a special fund called HealthCap.
Awards and Honours
Bengt Samuelsson received many important awards for his work. In 1975, he won the Louisa Gross Horwitz Prize. He shared this award with Sune K. Bergström. This prize came from Columbia University.
In 1990, he was chosen as a Foreign Member of the Royal Society. This is a very high honour for scientists. Of course, his most famous award was the 1982 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.
See also
In Spanish: Bengt Samuelsson para niños
