Houssay, Bernardo Alberto (1887-1971)

Argentine physiologist who was awarded a Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine in 1947 for determining the function of the pituitary gland in sugar metabolism. He demonstrated that the pituitary gland produces hormones that greatly influence bodily functions, particularly sugar metabolism. One hormone counters the effects of insulin in preventing diabetes and his work gave a new insight into diabetes. He shared the prize with US biochemists Gerty and Carl Cori. Houssay was dismissed from his university post in 1943 for pro-American views. He was reinstated in 1955, after Juan Perón had gone into exile.

Houssay was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He was educated at the University of Buenos Aires, where he later became professor of physiology.