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What does that suggest when a compound this simple plays such an important role? To me it suggests that nitric oxide is one of the most primitive elements of cellular signaling, that it goes way back into evolution.

The first time I saw nitroglycerine was in the beginning of the Crimean War. Professor Zinin in St. Petersburg exhibited some to my father and me, and struck some on an anvil to show that only the part touched by the hammer exploded without spreading.

What nourishes me also destroys me.

Nitric oxide is a key biological messenger within the body. When released by the cells lining your arteries, it makes the walls of the arteries relax, allowing more blood to flow.

There are very few things in the body that nitric oxide doesn't regulate.

I am not surprised that other gases may participate in cellular signaling and regulation. Our early work with nitric oxide was just the beginning. I'm sure more will be discovered.

Nature abhors annihilation.

Without enough nitric oxide, your arteries can stiffen, raising blood pressure and your risk of heart attack.

I was interested in implements of mass destruction - from an academic point of view.

Destruction, hence, like creation, is one of Nature's mandates.