Three Dermatologists Who Were Nominated for a Nobel Prize: Albert Neisser, Erich Hoffmann, and Aaron B. Lerner.

ABSTRACT

During the past 125 years, three dermatologists have been nominated for the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine Albert Neisser (1855-1916), Erich Hoffmann (1868-1959), and Aaron B. Lerner (1920-2007). Neisser was nominated 22 times for his discovery of the gonococcus and for his work on the serologic testing for syphilis through complement fixation. Hoffman was nominated three times for his role in the discovery of Treponema pallidum. Lerner was nominated twice, once for his work on melanocyte-stimulating hormone and a second time for his work on melatonin. Although neither Neisser, Hoffmann, nor Lerner won the Nobel Prize, it is still a notable accomplishment that each of them was nominated multiple times for this prestigiousaward. This contribution highlights the lives and careers of these three distinguished dermatologists, including the landmark discoveries they made that led to their being nominated for a Nobel Prize.