Prof. Dr. Haiko Sprott, MD is an expert clinical rheumatologist and pain specialist, former medical director of the pain clinic Basel and is now working in private practice. Prof. Dr. Sprott has conducted a large number of research projects, of both scientific and clinical nature, within the field of pain-associated disorders. In previous research work of his group, the presence of several pain-relevant molecules has been explored and detected in peripheral and non-neuronal tissues, including the expression and function of kappa and delta opioid receptors (KOR and DOR) outside the nervous system in healthy volunteers, fibromyalgia patients, and in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Functional KOR and DOR were detected in normal synovial fibroblasts, and a reduction of both receptor types was observed in fibroblasts of OA and RA patients. As a testament to the impact of his research, Prof. Dr. Sprott's study was honored with the prestigious 2nd prize in basic research by the Deutsche Gesellschaft zum Studium des Schmerzes in 2005. This recognition reflects the importance and excellence of his contributions to the field of pain research and treatment.