Henry Hallett Dale

The 1936 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was shared by Henry Hallett Dale and Otto Loewi for their discovery regarding the chemical transmission of nerve impulses. This recognition marked a turning point in neurobiology, validating the hypothesis that neurons communicate through specific chemical agents rather than solely via electrical signals.

Academic Formation

Born in Islington in 1875, Henry Hallett Dale received his early schooling at Tollington School and The Leys School. He continued his studies at Trinity College, Cambridge, and St Bartholomew's Hospital. His professional foundation was further strengthened by a period of research under Paul Ehrlich in Frankfurt during 1903. By 1909, he had earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from Cambridge University.

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Pharmacological Research

Dale served as the director of the Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology at the National Institute for Medical Research starting in 1914. His primary focus involved the identification of acetylcholine and its role in neurotransmission. This work established the basis for Dale's principle, a classification system for neurons categorized by the chemical messengers they release, which remains a foundational concept in the field of neuroscience.

Leadership and Public Service

Beyond his laboratory research, Dale held significant administrative roles within the scientific community. He acted as President of the Royal Society from 1940 to 1945 and served as chairman of the Wellcome Trust between 1938 and 1960. His contributions were further recognized through his tenure as a Fullerian Professor of Chemistry at the Royal Institution.

Honours and Legacy

Dale was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1914 and was knighted in 1932. His extensive list of accolades includes the Copley Medal, the Royal Medal, and the Banting Medal. Following his death in Cambridge in 1968, his legacy was preserved through the Sir Henry Dale Fellowships and the annual Dale Medal awarded by the Society for Endocrinology.

Fast facts

Born: 1875, Islington
Died: 1968, Cambridge
Nobel Prize: 1936, Physiology or Medicine
President of the Royal Society: 1940-1945
Knighted: 1932
Education: Trinity College, Cambridge
Primary Field: Biochemistry and Physiology
Wellcome Trust Chairman: 1938-1960

Questions readers ask

What is Dale's principle?

It is a scheme used to differentiate neurons based on the specific neurotransmitters they release, suggesting a neuron typically releases one type of neurotransmitter.