Year 1950

Reichstein Tadeus
Medicine, 1950
Switzerland
Reichstein Tadeus

Tadeus Reichstein was born in Poland in 1897. When he was eleven years old, his family moved to Switzerland, where he studied chemistry. In 1934 he became a professor of organic chemistry. He joined the University of Basel in 1938 as head of the Institute of Pharmacology. In 1946 he was appointed head of the organic chemistry laboratories.

In 1950, Reichstein, together with Philip Hench and Edward Kendall, was awarded the Nobel prize in physiology or medicine, “for their discoveries relating to the hormones of the adrenal cortex, their structure and biological effects.” These hormones affect metabolism and are vital for bodily function.

Reichstein isolated and characterized some thirty steroids, the most important of which was cortisone. In the wake of his findings, the production of cortisone and its use in relieving the suffering of arthritis patients was begun. It was later used in the fight against pneumonia, tuberculosis, asthma and other illnesses.

the first scientist to isolate cortisone.
Nobel Winners - Search
Search by
free text
Choose a two-letter word at least

Select a Nobel category:

  • Chemistry
  • Economics
  • Literature
  • Medicine
  • Peace
  • Physics

Select first letter of winner's name:

  • A
  • B
  • C
  • D
  • E
  • F
  • G
  • H
  • I
  • J
  • K
  • L
  • M
  • N
  • O
  • P
  • Q
  • R
  • S
  • T
  • U
  • V
  • W
  • X
  • Y
  • Z

Search Results

No search results

Search by
region on map
Click to select an area
Please select a region from the list

Search Results

No search results

Search by
range of years
1905
2024

No search results