Alan Hodgkin

Trinity College - Great Court 02

Hodgkin-Huxley

Hodgkin-Cycle

Alan Lloyd Hodgkin (5 February 1914 – 20 December 1998) was a pioneering British physiologist and biophysicist who made fundamental contributions to the understanding of nerve cells and the neural impulse, for which he shared the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1963 with Andrew Huxley and John Eccles. His work not only deepened the understanding of the physiological basis of neurotransmission but also laid the groundwork for much of the modern research in neuroscience and biophysics.

Early Life and Education

Alan Hodgkin was born in Banbury, Oxfordshire, England. He was educated at The Leys School, Cambridge, before going on to study at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he focused on natural sciences, particularly physiology. His early interest in how nerve cells communicate was sparked during his undergraduate years, leading to a lifelong pursuit of understanding the electrical basis of neuronal activity.

Career and Research

After completing his studies, Hodgkin began his research career in the late 1930s. His work was interrupted by World War II, during which he served in the development of radar technology for the Royal Air Force. After the war, he returned to Cambridge and resumed his research on nerve cells.

Hodgkin's most notable work was conducted in collaboration with Andrew Huxley. Together, they developed the Hodgkin-Huxley model, a mathematical model that describes how action potentials in neurons are initiated and propagated. This model was based on their experimental work with the giant axon of the squid, which provided an ideal system due to its large size. Their research demonstrated that the movement of ions across the nerve membrane is responsible for the generation and transmission of the action potential, a discovery that was critical in advancing the understanding of neural communication.

Nobel Prize

In 1963, Hodgkin was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine along with Andrew Huxley and John Eccles. The award was given for their discoveries concerning the ionic mechanisms involved in excitation and inhibition in the peripheral and central portions of the nerve cell membrane. This work not only provided a fundamental understanding of neurophysiology but also had implications for a wide range of biomedical and clinical research.

Later Life and Legacy

After his Nobel Prize win, Hodgkin continued to contribute to the field of neuroscience and served in various academic and administrative roles, including as the Master of Trinity College, Cambridge and President of the Royal Society. His legacy is carried on through the numerous awards and honors named after him, and his work continues to influence the fields of neuroscience, physiology, and biophysics.

Hodgkin passed away on 20 December 1998, leaving behind a rich legacy of scientific achievement and inspiration for future generations of researchers.

Selected Publications

Throughout his career, Hodgkin published extensively on the subject of nerve physiology. Some of his most influential works include papers on the electrical activity of nerves, the role of ions in nerve function, and the Hodgkin-Huxley model.

Awards and Honors

In addition to the Nobel Prize, Hodgkin received numerous other awards and honors throughout his career, reflecting his significant contributions to science. These include membership in the Royal Society, the Copley Medal, and the Royal Medal.

See Also

• Neuroscience
• Biophysics
• Physiology
• Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
• Andrew Huxley
• John Eccles