References to Sonic in medicine

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The following is a list of references to Sonic in medicine.

Medicine

The medical field will sometimes give names to newly-discovered biological components which reference movies, music, and video games. Due to Sonic the Hedgehog's widespread familiarity, a variant of the hedgehog gene was given the title sonic hedgehog in 1994, and subsequently received a significant amount of press coverage - introducing the general public to the concept of "named genes" (such as the later pikachurin.) While some controversy surrounded these references - particularly, concern over situations where patients were told their condition was the result of a "frivolous-sounding" name - the argument has largely died down, and genes are still occasionally named for famous video game characters.

Name	Type	Discovery date	Description	Images
Sonic hedgehog	Protein	1993/1994	A protein which serves as a signaling molecule, and the key in regulating embryonic morphogenesis in all different types of animals. Originally, the hedgehog genetic family earned its name from its bristled appearance. When the specific gene was isolated, a Tabin Lab postdoctoral fellow named Robert Riddle decided to append the name Sonic to the newly-discovered protein. According to Riddle, he thought up the reference after his wife came home with a magazine containing an advert for Sonic the Hedgehog.
Robotnikinin	Protein inhibitor	2009-03	A potential inhibitor of the Sonic hedgehog signaling pathway, named in reference to the original Western name of Sonic's long-time nemesis, Dr. Robotnik.