Strange enough, we had no idea what made us feel when touching something cold, warm, rough, or smooth. Now we know, and it can be helpful: these sensation receptors are also act when we breath, move, pee and regulate our blood pressure. Maybe novel treatments will result.
Personally, I had the privilege to collaborate with Ardem after finding the first patients with over-activity in the touch receptor PIEZO2 (the name is of course derived from Greek, πιεση). This resulted in a publication in 2013 where we showed that too much touch sense makes your body contract, limiting your joints, respiration, and eye movements. My patients are also delighted that this resulted in a Nobel prize.
Ref: Coste B, Houge G, Murray MF, Stitziel N, Bandell M, Giovanni MA, Philippakis A, Hoischen A, Riemer G, Steen U, Steen VM, Mathur J, Cox J, Lebo M, Rehm H, Weiss ST, Wood JN, Maas RL, Sunyaev SR, Patapoutian A. Gain-of-function mutations in the mechanically activated ion channel PIEZO2 cause a subtype of Distal Arthrogryposis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 19;110:4667-72 (2013).
Writes Gunnar Duzgos Hauge