The Nobel Assembly awarded The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for 2000 jointly to Arvid Carlsson, Paul Greengard and Eric Kandel for their discoveries concerning signal transduction in the nervous system. On the examples of their predecessors we attempted to demonstrate how results of basic research serve as building blocks for new discoveries and for the application of research results into the praxis. We presented not only the basic discoveries of laureates of Nobel Prize for year 2000 (biological role of dopamine, regulation of cell functions by phosphorylation of proteins, changes in transduction of signals during processes of memory), but we also mentioned previous discoveries that helped in the research of the last laureates. These discoveries concerned not only the storage and metabolism of transmitters, formulation of the concept of cyclic AMP as a second messenger of hormonal action, the role of G-proteins in transduction processes in receptor-effector complexes, processes of phosphorylation of proteins as regulators of cell functions, but we also mentioned the discovery of other second messengers and substances functioning as local hormones (prostaglandins and related compounds). Most of the described discoveries have not only the value as stones that can help to fill still incomplete mosaic of our present knowledge, but they also represent the immediate basis for the development and use of very important remedies, such as are antiparkinsonics, antidepressive drugs, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, etc.

        Key words: laureates of Nobel Prize in physiology, neurotransmitters, cyclic AMP, G proteins, phosphorylation of proteins, second messengers, nitric oxide, prostaglandins, memory, CREB