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An internationally renowned scientist will this week help celebrate a famous University of Aberdeen researcher who discovered the body’s own painkillers - endorphins.

Thirty four years ago Dr Hans Kosterlitz made a major breakthrough when he found that the brain produces morphine-like chemicals in the brain that help us feel pleasure and fight pain.

To mark the discovery – which won acclaim throughout the world – the University launched an annual lecture last year in the name of the late German born biologist.

The second Hans Kosterlitz lecture will be delivered on Friday by Chris McBain who is Director of the Laboratory of Cellular and Synaptic Neurophysiology at the Neuroscience Research Center in Bethesda, USA.

It is a return to Aberdeen for Professor McBain because he received his BSc degree from this University before he completed his PhD at Cambridge.

Dr Marlene Bartos, Reader in Neuroscience at the University of Aberdeen, has organised the talk.

She said: "I am absolutely delighted that Professor Chris McBain, who is an extremely eminent scientist, has agreed to give the second Kosterlitz lecture."

Professor McBain added: "I feel truly honoured to give the second Kosterlitz lecture - he was someone who was a real inspiration to me when I was an undergraduate and I couldn't think of a nicer way to come back to Aberdeen."

The Hans Kosterlitz Lecture takes place at the Institute of Medical Science's Level 7 Conference Room between 12 noon and 1pm on Friday, May 8 and is open to staff and students.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

Issued by the Communications Team, Office of External Affairs, University of Aberdeen, King's College, Aberdeen. Tel: (01224) 272014.

Issued on: 06 May 2009

Ref: 141KOSTERLITZ
Contact: Jennifer Phillips