Vladimir Pliska receives medal for merits in the development of science

Prof. em Vladimir Pliska worked at the Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry and from 1970 to 1999 at the leading European university ETH Zurich.

His focus was on the biochemical processes involved in the control of tissue levels of neurohypophysial hormones. In doing so, he identified the molecular sites of their enzymatic inactivation and addressed their kinetics in vivo, ex vivo and in vitro. His studies on synthetic analogues of neurohypophysial hormones are important for studies elucidating the relationships between their structure and activity. He has also been involved in the design of long-acting neurohypophysial hormones as well as the design of oxytocin inhibitors with potential tocolytic effect. Several of these agents have come into routine clinical use and have made significant contribution to the successful treatment of severe peripartum haemorrhage. He is a respected protein chemist and his focus on neurohypophyseal endocrinology has earned him great respect among endocrinologists, gynecologists, and obstetricians.