The 1970 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to Bernard Katz for his exploration of synaptic transmission, specifically the mechanism of how neurotransmitters bridge the junction between nerve and muscle. His research established that chemical signalling in the nervous system relies on the release of neurotransmitter molecules contained within distinct, uniform subcellular packages.
Early Life and Academic Foundation
Born in Leipzig in 1911, Katz grew up in a family of Russian descent, the son of Eugenie and the fur merchant Max Katz. He attended the Albert Gymnasium from 1921 until 1929 before enrolling at the University of Leipzig to study medicine. Following his graduation in 1934, he left Germany for Britain in February 1935 to pursue advanced research.
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Katz began his tenure at University College London (UCL) under the guidance of Archibald Vivian Hill. He completed his PhD in 1938 and subsequently held a Carnegie Fellowship, allowing him to collaborate with John Carew Eccles at the Kanematsu Institute of the Sydney Medical School. After securing British nationality in 1941, he joined the Royal Australian Air Force in 1942, serving as a radar officer throughout his time in the Pacific.
Professional Tenure and Synaptic Research
In 1946, Katz returned to UCL at the invitation of Hill. He later collaborated with 1963 Nobel laureates Alan Hodgkin and Andrew Huxley. Appointed professor and head of the Biophysics Department in 1952, he held these positions until transitioning to emeritus professor in 1978. His investigative work alongside Paul Fatt defined the quantal nature of neurotransmitter release, identifying that these molecules are released from synaptic vesicles.
Honours and Legacy
Knighted in 1969, Katz received numerous accolades, including the Copley Medal in 1967 and the Ralph W. Gerard Prize in 1990. He was a member of the Royal Society, the National Academy of Sciences, the Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei, and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Following his death in London in 2003 at age 92, his personal archives were donated to UCL.
Fast facts
- Born: 1911, Leipzig, Germany
- Died: 2003, London, United Kingdom
- Education: University of Leipzig; University College London
- Key Nobel Achievement: Quantal release of neurotransmitters
- Military Service: Royal Australian Air Force, 1942–1946
- Notable Awards: Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (1970); Copley Medal (1967)
- Academic Status: Emeritus Professor, University College London
Questions readers ask
What mechanism did Bernard Katz discover?
He identified that neurotransmitters are released at synapses in specific quantities, or quanta, derived from subcellular packages known as synaptic vesicles.
Which major scientific honour did he receive?
He shared the 1970 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with Julius Axelrod and Ulf von Euler for his work on synaptic transmission.
Achievements
- Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine — 1970
- Copley Medal — 1967
- Affiliated with University College London
- Educated at University College London and Leipzig University
- Worked as physician, neuroscientist and university teacher
