Title: The Romanian Scientist Who Changed the Course of European Medicine

Name: Bruma Daniela

Class: XI
Lyceum: IPLT “Principesa Natalia Dadiani”
Teacher: Mașcauțan Ana

Nicolae Paulescu, a Romanian physiologist and professor of medicine, made a profound

contribution to European culture through his groundbreaking discovery of insulin. His work
had a tremendous impact on the field of medicine, saving countless lives around the world.
Born in Bucharest in 1869, Paulescu studied medicine at the University of Paris, where he
became fascinated with the endocrine system and the role of hormones in regulating bodily
functions. In 1916, he made an extraordinary discovery that would change the course of
medical history. Paulescu isolated a hormone secreted by the pancreas that regulates blood
sugar levels, which he named "pancreine."
Although Paulescu's discovery was made independently and simultaneously with
Frederick Banting and Charles Best, who are often credited with the discovery of insulin, his
work was largely ignored by the scientific community at the time. It was Banting and Best
who received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their discovery in 1923.
Despite this setback, Paulescu persisted with his research and made further contributions
to the field of endocrinology throughout his career. He wrote over 350 scientific papers on a
range of topics related to medicine and physiology, cementing his place as one of the most
prominent scientists of his time.
Paulescu's contribution to European culture lies in his pioneering work in the field of
endocrinology and his discovery of insulin. Insulin has had an enormous impact on the lives
of people worldwide, particularly those with diabetes. Prior to the discovery of insulin,
diabetes was a deadly disease with no effective treatment. People with diabetes were often
confined to bed and faced a slow and painful death.
The discovery of insulin, however, allowed people with diabetes to manage their disease
and live full and productive lives. Insulin has become a crucial part of modern medicine and
has saved countless lives. Paulescu's work paved the way for further advances in the field of
endocrinology and has had a lasting impact on the medical community and society at large.
Paulescu's legacy continues to inspire new generations of scientists and physicians. His
impact on European culture has been significant, and his work has played an instrumental
role in advancing the field of medicine worldwide. By demonstrating the importance of
hormones in regulating bodily functions, Paulescu helped to establish endocrinology as a
significant area of study within the medical field.
In conclusion, by discovering insulin and developing the field of endocrinology, Nicolae
Paulescu made a significant impact on European culture. His work has had an immense
influence on the medical field and has saved countless lives. Paulescu's legacy continues to
inspire scientists and physicians worldwide, and his impact on European culture will continue
to be felt for generations to come.
Bibliography:
1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicolae_Paulescu
2. https://www.diabetes.co.uk/pioneers/nicolae-paulescu.html
3. Costache, A., & Ionescu-Tirgoviste, C. (2016). Nicolae Paulescu: the discoverer of
insulin. Acta physiologica (Oxford, England), 217(3), 171-178.
4. Friesen, H. G. (2000). Nicolae C. Paulescu and the discovery of insulin. The Journal
of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 85(9), 3218-3224.
5. Fulga, I., & Oprescu, N. (2004). The contribution of Nicolae Paulescu to the
discovery of insulin. Journal of diabetes and its complications, 18(4), 219-222.
6. Simionescu, M. (1999). Nicolae Paulescu and the discovery of insulin. The Journal of
cell biology, 145(4), 849-854.