The Physiological Society is delighted to announce its new commemorative blue plaque scheme. This initiative honours outstanding physiologists who have contributed to the advancement of the physiology through their discoveries while leaving a legacy beyond their lifetime. The blue plaques are intended to raise the visibility of the physiology giving the wider public an insight into the positive role that ‘the science of life’ plays in their everyday lives. It is hoped that these plaques will spark curiosity and help inspire new generations to get involved in the physiological sciences. Over the coming months, a series of commemorative blue plaques will be unveiled at academic institutions across the UK and Ireland which will recognise the significant contribution made by distinguished physiologists at these sites.
The first blue plaque was unveiled on Wednesday 23 June on the University of Oxford’s Department of Physiology, Anatomy & Genetics building honouring the heritage of pioneering physiologist Sir Charles Sherrington.
Sir Charles Sherrington is a widely celebrated as the neurophysiologist who shaped our understanding of the central nervous system. Sherrington came to the University of Oxford’s Laboratory of Physiology as the Waynflete Professor of Physiology in 1913.
Sherrington received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1932 with Edgar Adrian for their work on the functions of neurons. Prior to the work of Sherrington and Adrian, it was widely accepted that reflexes occurred as isolated activity within a reflex arc; instead, Sherrington and Adrian showed that reflexes require integrated activation and demonstrated reciprocal innervation of muscles, a principle now known as Sherrington’s Law.
President of The Physiological Society and Head of Department at the University of Oxford’s Department of Physiology, Anatomy & Genetics, Professor David Paterson, said:
“As President of The Physiological Society I am delighted to launch our new Physiology blue plaque scheme here in Oxford by recognising the outstanding contributions of Sir Charles Sherrington to physiology. The aim of the initiative is to raise the visibility of Physiology with the public but also increase the prestige associated with the university departments and demonstrate the legacy of physiology academia to potential students.
“Sherrington is widely regarded as the father of neurophysiology, and together with Edgar Adrian in Cambridge, made Nobel Prize winning discoveries that still underpin neuroscience today.
“I look forward to this scheme growing in coming months and years as we honour distinguished, pioneering physiologists across the UK and Ireland.”
