Two researchers who discovered the molecular basis for our ability to sense temperature and touch have won this year’s Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. David Julius’s and Ardem Patapoutian’s discoveries provide crucial links between external stimuli — such as temperature or touch — and the electrical signals that drive nervous-system responses. They were looking for molecules that became activated by mechanical forces. The team identified cells that emitted an electrical signal when prodded, and then hunted for genes that might control this response. This led to the discovery of two more ion channels, named Piezo1 and Piezo2, which are activated by pressure. You can read the full article here, and more information about the Piezo1 and Piezo2 proteins here.