The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2004

The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2004

 

A large gene family

Axel and Buck searched for genes coding for proteins expressed exclusively in the olfactory epithelium.

Using molecular biology techniques they discovered a large set of genes coding for olfactory receptors. This large gene family is composed of several hundred different genes encoding receptor molecules.

Today we know that these genes represent around three per cent of the total number of genes in mammals.

gene

Contents:

| The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2004 | The olfactory system | A large family of odorant receptors | A large gene family | The organization of odorant receptor inputs in the olfactory cortex | Combinatorial receptor codes | Species differences | Credits |

Nobel Poster from the Nobel Committee for Physiology or Medicine, web adapted by Nobel Web

To cite this section
MLA style: The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2004. NobelPrize.org. Nobel Prize Outreach AB 2023. Sat. 9 Dec 2023. <https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/medicine/2004/7432-the-nobel-prize-in-physiology-or-medicine-2004-2004-3/>

Back to top Back To Top Takes users back to the top of the page

Streams during Nobel Week

Coming up

Watch the 2023 Nobel Prize lectures, the Nobel Prize Concert, Nobel Week Dialogue, the prize award ceremonies in Oslo and Stockholm and Nobel Peace Prize Forum here at nobelprize.org.
Watch lectures and award ceremonies

Explore prizes and laureates

Look for popular awards and laureates in different fields, and discover the history of the Nobel Prize.