Hans Kosterlitz

Hans Kosterlitz

Hans Walter Kosterlitz (27 April 1903 – 26 October 1996) was a German-born British biochemist and pharmacologist. He is best known for his discovery of the endorphins, a group of endogenous opioid peptides that function as neurotransmitters.

Early Life and Education

Hans Kosterlitz was born in Berlin, Germany, to a Jewish family. He studied medicine at the University of Berlin, where he earned his medical degree in 1928. Due to the rise of the Nazi Party and the increasing persecution of Jews, Kosterlitz emigrated to the United Kingdom in 1934.

Career

Upon arriving in the United Kingdom, Kosterlitz joined the University of Aberdeen in Scotland, where he worked for the remainder of his career. He initially focused on carbohydrate metabolism and later shifted his research to the study of the nervous system and neurotransmitters.

Discovery of Endorphins

In the 1970s, Kosterlitz, along with his colleague John Hughes, discovered the endorphins. They isolated these peptides from the brain and demonstrated their ability to bind to opioid receptors, which are the same receptors that interact with morphine and other opiates. This groundbreaking discovery provided significant insights into pain regulation and the body's natural mechanisms for pain relief.

Awards and Honors

Kosterlitz received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to science, including the Albert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research in 1978. He was also elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1978.

Personal Life

Hans Kosterlitz was married and had two children. He continued to work and publish research papers well into his 80s. He passed away on 26 October 1996 in Aberdeen, Scotland.

Legacy

Kosterlitz's discovery of endorphins has had a lasting impact on the fields of biochemistry, pharmacology, and medicine. His work has paved the way for further research into pain management, addiction, and the development of new analgesic drugs.

Related Pages

• Endorphins
• Opioid receptor
• John Hughes (pharmacologist)
• University of Aberdeen
• Albert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research
• Royal Society