Hans W. Kosterlitz; Discovered Brain Endorphins

Hans W. Kosterlitz, 93, biochemist whose discovery of opiate-like substances fostered research on painkillers. In 1975, Kosterlitz and his former student John Hughes discovered enkephalins, naturally occurring substances in the brain. They continued to study brain substances, which as a group are called endorphins. The breakthrough paved the way for major research into new kinds of nonaddictive painkillers. Kosterlitz, Hughes and American researcher Solomon H. Snyder shared the prestigious Albert Lasker Prize for the research. A native of Berlin, Kosterlitz was educated at Berlin University and spent his entire career in research at Aberdeen University in Scotland. On Oct. 26 in Aberdeen.