Mario Fernando Luxoro Mariani, Chilean biophysicist and physiologist (Santiago 01 February 1926 – Santiago 26 December 2016)
From Italian descent
Some of the most relevant papers in the literature about membrane excitability were produced in his lab
Provided the first demonstration that proteins rather than lipids are involved in the flux of ions across the nerve plasma membrane, participating in the generation of the action potential
With Eduardo Rojas. Microinjection of trypsin into axons of squid. Nature 199:78-9, 1963
Recognized the dynamic state of intracellular calcium
With S. Rissetti. Calcium eflux in giant axons. Biochem. Biophys. Acta 135:368-70, 1967
With E. Yañez. Permeability of the giant axon of Dosidicus gigas to calcium ions. J. Gen. Physiol. 51 (part.2): 115-22, 1968
With E. Rojas proposed a model that allowed the calculation of the intracellular calcium concentration, the kinetic constants for calcium binding and release, and its membrane permeability
Other relevant papers
Observations in myelin structure: incisures and nodal regions. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 44;152-6, 1958
Incorporation of aminoacids labeled with carbon-14 in nerve proteins during activity and recovery. Nature 188;119-20, 1960
With I. Tasaki. Intracellular perfusion of Chilean giant squid axons. Science 145:1313-5, 1964
With I. Tasaki & R. Ruarte. Electrophysiological studies of Chilean squid axons under internal perfusion with sodium-rich media. Science 150:899-901, 1965