The ability to perceive heat, cold and touch is the key to human adaptation to the environment. David Julius and Alden Pataptian won the 2021 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their discovery of the TRPV1, TRPM8 ion-protein channels and PIEZO genes, unveiling the ‘mystery’ of human temperature and touch receptors. By reviewing the growth experiences, scientific research activities and research results of the two scientists in the field of human perception, the advantages and disadvantages of "pain" to the human body are discussed, and the relationship between the application of new scientific instruments and basic scientific research is investigated.

2021 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine  /  human sensory sensor  /  TRPV1, TRPM8 ion channel protein  /  PIEZO gene