will be highlighted on a BBC World Service science programme in the New Year.

Thousands of radio listeners around the world tune into the weekly programme, which covers new developments in science.

Bio Station molecular biology scientist Dr. Hank Trapido Rosenthal will share his findings in the field during the programme "Drugs from the Sea'', to air on January 3 at 6 a.m., 2.30 p.m., and 11.30 p.m.

BBC science journalist Ms Tracey Logan was on vacation here when she visited the Bio Station and became interested in the work of its resident researchers, Bio Station spokeswoman Ms Liz Gould said.

She was especially interested in Dr. Rosenthal's research, which has great implications in the pharmaceutical world, Ms Gould added.

Dr. Rosenthal said yesterday he chose to work in Bermuda because of its rich coral reef environment which is also special in that it is the most northern in the world.

He had just made a breakthrough while studying for his doctorate at the University of California.

He discovered there was a specific chemical compound in a marine algae at the reef floor that abalones -- edible marine molluscs -- respond to and is present in the mammalian nervous system.

The compound was a "mimic'' of one of the neuro-system's most important transmitters, he said.

"This means that certain kinds of neurological diseases could conceivably be treated naturally with a drug from this particular seaweed compound,'' he said.

Explaining further, he said the seaweed compound could be used as a natural substitute for Valium without its side effects.

Dr. Rosenthal said he was hoping to make a similar breakthrough in Bermuda. He said research in the field, which involves studying the interaction between marine organisms and a particular marine species, had to be approached with an open mind.

"You can't go in saying you want to find a cure for cancer, because you probably won't find anything,'' he said.

Ms Logan also interviewed other Bio Station scientists while in Bermuda about their Atlantic Ocean research, which mostly concerns weather patterns, global warming and coral reef systems.

Dr. Hank Rosenthal.