Herbert Spencer Gasser

Herbert Spencer Gasser nobel

Herbert Spencer Gasser (1888–1963) was an American physiologist whose pioneering work in the field of neurophysiology significantly advanced the scientific understanding of nerve function. Gasser's research, particularly in collaboration with Joseph Erlanger, led to the discovery of the role of nerve fiber size in determining the speed of nerve impulse conduction. This groundbreaking work earned Gasser and Erlanger the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1944.

Early Life and Education

Herbert Spencer Gasser was born on July 5, 1888, in Platteville, Wisconsin. He pursued his undergraduate studies at the University of Wisconsin, where he developed an interest in physiology. Gasser then attended Johns Hopkins University, where he received his M.D. in 1915. It was during his time at Johns Hopkins that Gasser began his research in neurophysiology, a field that would become the focus of his career.

Career and Research

After completing his education, Gasser served in the medical corps during World War I, where he gained experience in nerve injuries. This experience would later influence his research. Following the war, Gasser joined the faculty at Washington University in St. Louis, where he met Joseph Erlanger. Together, they embarked on a series of experiments that would revolutionize the understanding of the nervous system.

Gasser and Erlanger's research focused on the electrical properties of nerve fibers. They developed an oscilloscope that allowed them to observe the electrical impulses of nerves, leading to the discovery that nerve fibers with larger diameters conduct impulses faster than those with smaller diameters. This work laid the foundation for the modern understanding of nerve conduction and its relation to sensory perception and motor control.

Nobel Prize

In 1944, Herbert Spencer Gasser and Joseph Erlanger were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine "for their discoveries relating to the highly differentiated functions of single nerve fibres." This accolade was a testament to the significance of their contributions to the field of neurophysiology and their impact on medical science.

Later Years and Legacy

After receiving the Nobel Prize, Gasser continued his research and served as the director of the Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research (now Rockefeller University) from 1935 to 1953. Under his leadership, the institute made significant advances in various areas of medical science.

Gasser's work has had a lasting impact on the field of neurophysiology. His research on nerve conduction has been fundamental in the development of treatments for nerve damage and neurological disorders. Gasser's legacy is remembered as one of the pioneers in the study of the nervous system, and his contributions continue to influence the field today.

Gasser passed away on May 11, 1963, leaving behind a legacy of scientific achievement and a body of work that continues to inspire and inform.

See Also

• Neurophysiology
• Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
• Joseph Erlanger
• Nerve conduction