History
The history of the Heymans Institute
for Pharmacology closely parallels the evolution of modern pharmacology. Founded
in 1890 , when J.F. Heymans was called to take the first chair of experimental
pharmacology in Belgium, the Institute was initially devoted to the practice of
experimental medicine sensu largo. Making use of carefully planned preparations
of the animal in toto, the experimental work performed aimed at elucidating the
regulatory mechanisms of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems and
accessorily, the effect of drugs on these items. This work culminated in the
fundamental discovery, by C. HEYMANS, of the carotid and cardioaortic
reflexogenic chemoreceptor areas and their role in the regulation of respiration,
for which he was awarded the NOBEL PRIZE 1938 in Physiology and Medicine.
After World War II, endeavours at the Heymans Institute, as reflected by
expansion and diversification of both staff and equipment and by scientific
production, were oriented towards activities in the field of pharmacology sensu
proprio. These activities are manifest at the three levels of expertise and
responsibility of the Institute : teaching, research and service.
