Prof. em. Dr. Hanns Möhler

Beginning in April 1989, Hanns Möhler has held a professorship at the Department of Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, as well as in the Medical Faculty of the University of Zurich, where he was director of the Institute of Pharmacology. He retired end of March 2005.

Born on March 8, 1940 in Ehingen, Germany, Prof. Möhler studied chemistry and biochemistry at the Universities of Bonn and Tübingen. After research training in biochemistry at Michigan State University, USA, he obtained his Ph.D. from the University of Freiburg, Germany. As senior scientist at the Medical Research Council Laboratories in London, England, (1972 - 1973) he focused his research on neuroscience and later worked as a science vice-director in the Research Department of Hoffmann-La Roche, Basle, Switzerland. He was made assistant professor in 1984 by the University of Freiburg, Germany.

Prof. Möhler's research was devoted to the molecular neurobiology of brain disorders and their therapy. The discovery of the benzodiazepine receptor and the development of the drug Flumazenil were early achievements. His research encompassed the gene therapy of epilepsy, the neurobiology of emotions, the self-organisation of the brain and transmitter-induced neurotoxicity. He is author of a biochemistry textbook, In 1991 he was elected as a member of the European Academy of Sciences.