The Nobel Prize in Medicine and Physiology was awarded to David Julius and Ardem Patapoutian, for the discovery of temperature and touch receptors. The announcement came from members of the Swedish Royal Academy in Stockholm.
How the Nobel Prize works
Today’s award inaugurates the 2021 awards of the Nobel, established in 1901 at the behest of the Swedish scientist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel to reward those who “bestowed the greatest benefit on humanity” with his work. The medal is awarded in six different fields: the five original disciplines are Medicine, Physics, Chemistry, Literature, Peace, with the addition of economics since 1968.
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The nominations of the candidates take place according to a similar procedure between the various categories. In September of the year preceding the award, a commission sends a request for the indication of a “candidate” they deem deserving of the award to a certain number of personalities. The main source of origin are the members of the Swedish Royal Academy itself, former Nobel Prize winners, professors in the universities of Scandinavian countries (Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland) and international academics spread over several countries.
The Award Commission makes a selection of the recommended figures, submitting the names to the scrutiny of a group of experts. Based on the opinions expressed, a report is drawn up and the “winner” is voted on, which is announced in October and awarded in December. The winners’ announcement ceremony has always been held in Stockholm, but the Covid pandemic has forced the event to be held fully digital in its 2020 edition. A hybrid formula is planned for 2021, while the actual delivery of the medals will take place in December, in the countries of origin of the winners.