THE DISCOVERY OF INSULINThe scientific discovery of insulin changed the whole world and gave hope to all diabetic patients. Before the discovery of insulin, people with diabetes would eventually die, but now with insulin, diabetic patients live normal lives. However, during the 19th century, observations of deceased patients proved that their pancreas was damaged. Thus, in 1869, Paul Langerhans, a medical student, discovered that there were groups of cells in pancreatic tissue but that their main functions were unknown. Further analysis proved that some of the cells were insulin-producing beta cells. These cells were named islets of Langerhans. (Ainsberg, 2010) In 1889, two physiologists Oskar Minkowski and Joseph Von Mering also proved that when the pancreas is removed from a dog, the dog gets diabetes, but if the channel through which the pancreatic juice flows towards the intestine was surgically closed to prevent the juice from reaching the intestine it was feeding on. This would result in loss of functionality of the pancreas. In doing so, cells known to produce an antidiabetic secretion could be separated from the pancreas. (Bliss, 2007)In 1920, Banting, after reading an article about the pancreas, had the idea of ​​an experimental procedure. This idea was to link the pancreatic ducts in order to isolate an internal secretion. He presented his idea to Professor Macleod at the University of Toronto. In 1921, Dr. Banting was given a laboratory and dogs as well as a laboratory assistant (Best) to prove his idea. (The Discoverer, 1932) They began the experiment by removing a dog's pancreas. After the pancreas was removed from the first dog, his glucose levels increased, he drank lots of water and...... middle of paper...... The team has now expanded his test to other diabetic volunteers and they all also reacted positively. In 1923 their work was rewarded and Banting and Macleod received a Nobile Prize in PhysiologyBibliographyAinsberg, TC a. A., 2010. Breakthrough: Elizabeth Huges, the discovery of insulin and the achievement of a medical miracle. New York: St. Martin’s press. Bankston, J., 2001. Federick Banting and the discovery of insulin. 2nd ed. sl Mitchell Lane Publishers.Bliss, M., 2007. The discovery of insulin. 25th anniversary edition ed. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. Jurdjevic M, TC, 2004. EC Noble in June 1921, and his account of the discovery of insulin. Bull Hist Med..Tattersall, R., 2009. Diabetes: The Biography. New York: Oxford University Press. The discoverer. 1932. [Film] Directed by CAG Matthews. Toronto: VHS tape, Banting collection.