John Jacob Abel

John Jacob Abel

John Jacob Abel (1857–1938) was an American biochemist and pharmacologist who is often recognized as the "father of American pharmacology". His pioneering work in the early 20th century laid the foundation for much of the modern pharmaceutical industry.

Early Life and Education

Abel was born on May 19, 1857, in Cleveland, Ohio. He attended the University of Michigan, where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in 1883. He then went on to study medicine at the Johns Hopkins University, where he earned his M.D. in 1888.

Career

After completing his education, Abel joined the faculty of the University of Michigan as a professor of pharmacology. In 1893, he moved to the Johns Hopkins University, where he established the first pharmacology department in the United States.

Abel's research focused on the isolation and identification of hormones. He was the first to isolate epinephrine (adrenaline) in a pure form, and he also discovered the hormone histamine. His work on the kidney led to the development of the artificial kidney, a precursor to modern dialysis machines.

Legacy

Abel's contributions to pharmacology and biochemistry have had a lasting impact on the field. His work has been recognized with numerous awards and honors, including the Remsen Award for outstanding work in chemistry.

See Also

• History of pharmacology
• Biochemistry
• Johns Hopkins University