Albert von Kölliker

Albert von Kölliker (1817-1905) was a Swiss anatomist and physiologist who made significant contributions to the field of biology. He is best known for his work in histology, the study of the microscopic structure of tissues, and embryology, the study of the development of an organism from the fertilization of the egg to the fetus stage.

Early Life and Education

Albert von Kölliker was born on July 6, 1817, in Zurich, Switzerland. He studied at the universities of Zurich, Bonn, and Berlin, where he was influenced by the teachings of prominent scientists such as Johannes Peter Müller and Robert Remak.

Career

In 1842, Kölliker became a professor of physiology and comparative anatomy at the University of Zurich. In 1847, he moved to the University of Würzburg, where he spent the rest of his career.

Kölliker's research focused on the microscopic structure of animal tissues, a field known as histology. He was one of the first to recognize that tissues are composed of individual cells and their products. He also made significant contributions to the field of embryology, studying the development of organisms from the fertilization of the egg to the fetus stage.

Contributions to Science

Kölliker is best known for his work in histology and embryology. He was one of the first to use the microscope in the study of animal tissues, and his work laid the foundation for modern histology. He also made significant contributions to embryology, including the discovery of the process of cell division in the development of the embryo.

In addition to his research, Kölliker was a prolific writer. He authored numerous scientific papers and books, including the influential Handbook of Human Histology and Manual of Human Embryology.

Legacy

Albert von Kölliker's work has had a lasting impact on the fields of histology and embryology. His research helped to establish these fields as distinct areas of study within biology, and his findings continue to inform our understanding of the structure and development of organisms.

See Also

• Histology
• Embryology
• Cell division

References

• Albert von Kölliker: His Contributions to Our Understanding of the Structure and Function of Tissues, by J. A. Kiernan. Journal of Microscopy, 1996.
• Albert von Kölliker and the Birth of Histology and Embryology, by R. M. H. McMinn. Journal of Anatomy, 2005.