Sune Karl Bergström is best known for his research on prostaglandins. These substances, which were first discovered in the prostate gland and seminal vesicles, were found by Bergström and his colleagues to affect circulation, smooth muscle tissue, and general metabolism in ways that can be medically beneficial. Certain prostaglandins, for example, lower blood pressure, while others prevent the formation of ulcers on the stomach lining. For his research, Bergström shared the 1982 Nobel Prize in medicine or physiology with John R. Vane and Bengt Samuelsson.

Sune Bergström was born in Stockholm on January 10, 1916, to Sverker and Wera (Wistrand) Bergström. Upon completion of high school he went to work at the Karolinska Institute as an assistant to the biochemist Erik Jorpes. The young Bergström was assigned to do research on the biochemistry of fats and steroids. Jorpes was...