“Our findings could help in the fight against osteoporosis”

After being recognized with the 13th Frontiers of Knowledge Award in Biology and Biomedicine, molecular biologist Ardem Patapoutian explains in his interview how he identified Piezo ion channels, responsible for enabling cells to detect pressure and stretch—fundamental to senses such as touch, proprioception, and blood pressure control. He highlights that this discovery opens new pathways for treating neuropathic pain, understanding processes such as cell migration or metastasis, and even exploring applications in haptics, hypertension, or osteoporosis.

The BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award in Biology and Biomedicine has gone in this thirteenth edition to David Julius, from the University of California, San Francisco, and Ardem Patapoutian, from the Scripps Institute, La Jolla (United States), “for identifying the receptors that enable us to sense temperature, pain and pressure.”