Ignarro’s spectral analysis

Louis Ignarro reported that EDRF relaxed blood vessels. He also identified EDRF as a molecule by using spectral analysis of hemoglobin. When hemoglobin was exposed to EDRF, maximum absorbance moved to a new wave-length; and exposed to NO, exactly the same shift in absorbance occurred! EDRF was identical with NO. A new principle for signalling between human cells was discovered.

Spectrophotometry
Hemoglobin (yellow) exposed to endothelial cells that were stimulated to produce EDRF (green)
Hemoglobin (yellow) directly exposed to NO (green)

The shift of absorption curves is identical, hence EDRF is NO

To cite this section
MLA style: Ignarro’s spectral analysis. NobelPrize.org. Nobel Prize Outreach AB 2024. Sat. 18 May 2024. <https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/medicine/1998/7539-ignarros-spectral-analysis/>

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

Nobel Prizes and laureates

Nobel Prizes 2023

Eleven laureates were awarded a Nobel Prize in 2023, for achievements that have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind. Their work and discoveries range from effective mRNA vaccines and attosecond physics to fighting against the oppression of women.

See them all presented here.
Illustration

Explore prizes and laureates

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