Ulf von Euler

Swedish physiologist and pharmacologist

Ulf von Euler

Ulf von Euler

Ulf Svante von Euler (7 February 1905 – 9 March 1983) was a Swedish physiologist and pharmacologist who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1970 for his discoveries concerning the neurotransmitter norepinephrine.

Early life and education

Ulf von Euler was born in Stockholm, Sweden, into a family with a strong scientific tradition. His father, Hans von Euler-Chelpin, was a Nobel laureate in Chemistry, and his mother, Astrid Cleve, was a noted botanist and chemist. Ulf von Euler studied medicine at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, where he earned his medical degree in 1930.

Career and research

After completing his education, von Euler worked at the Karolinska Institute, where he conducted research in physiology and pharmacology. He became a professor of physiology in 1939. His research focused on the autonomic nervous system and the chemical transmission of nerve impulses.

Discovery of norepinephrine

In the 1940s, von Euler discovered that norepinephrine was a neurotransmitter in the peripheral nervous system. This discovery was crucial in understanding how nerve impulses are transmitted in the body and had significant implications for the development of drugs to treat cardiovascular diseases.

Other contributions

Von Euler also made important contributions to the understanding of prostaglandins, a group of physiologically active lipid compounds. His work laid the foundation for further research into the role of prostaglandins in inflammation and other physiological processes.

Nobel Prize

In 1970, Ulf von Euler was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, along with Bernard Katz and Julius Axelrod, for their discoveries concerning the storage, release, and inactivation of neurotransmitters. Von Euler's work on norepinephrine was a key part of this research.

Personal life

Ulf von Euler was married to Jane Sodenstierna, and they had four children. He was known for his modesty and dedication to science. Von Euler continued to work and publish research papers well into his later years.

Legacy

Von Euler's discoveries have had a lasting impact on the fields of physiology and pharmacology. His work on neurotransmitters has been fundamental in the development of treatments for various neurological and cardiovascular disorders.

Related pages

• Norepinephrine
• Neurotransmitter
• Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
• Karolinska Institute