Walter Jakob Gehring

Walter Jakob Gehring (March 20, 1939 – May 29, 2014) was a Swiss developmental biologist renowned for his pioneering work in the field of genetics and developmental biology. His most significant contribution was the discovery of the homeobox, a DNA sequence that plays a key role in the regulation of gene expression during the development of organisms. This discovery has had profound implications for our understanding of the genetic control of development.

Early Life and Education

Walter Jakob Gehring was born in Zürich, Switzerland. He pursued his higher education in natural sciences at the University of Zürich, where he developed an interest in the burgeoning field of molecular biology. Gehring completed his Ph.D. in 1965, focusing on the genetics of Drosophila, a model organism that has been crucial in the study of genetics and developmental biology.

Career and Research

After completing his Ph.D., Gehring conducted postdoctoral research at the University of California, Berkeley, where he worked on bacteriophage genetics. He returned to Switzerland in 1972 to join the faculty of the Biozentrum University of Basel, where he spent the majority of his career.

Gehring's research at the Biozentrum was groundbreaking. In the early 1980s, he and his team discovered the homeobox, a short conserved DNA sequence found within genes that are involved in the regulation of patterns of anatomical development (morphogenesis) in animals, fungi, and plants. This discovery was made through their work on the Antennapedia gene complex in Drosophila, which controls the development of legs and antennae in fruit flies. They found that mutations in the homeobox could lead to dramatic transformations, such as the development of legs where antennae should be.

This work led to the realization that homeobox genes are a part of a highly conserved genetic system that controls the development of many organisms, from fruit flies to humans. The discovery of the homeobox has had a significant impact on the fields of genetics, developmental biology, and evolutionary biology, providing insights into how complex body plans and structures are genetically programmed and conserved through evolution.

Awards and Honors

Throughout his career, Gehring received numerous awards and honors in recognition of his contributions to science. These include the prestigious Kyoto Prize in Basic Sciences in 2000, the March of Dimes Prize in Developmental Biology, and election to several academies of sciences around the world.

Legacy

Walter Jakob Gehring's work has left a lasting legacy in the field of developmental biology. His discovery of the homeobox has paved the way for further research into the genetic basis of development and evolution, influencing a wide range of scientific disciplines. Gehring is remembered not only for his scientific achievements but also for his role as a mentor to the next generation of scientists.

Selected Publications

Gehring's prolific career resulted in numerous influential publications. Some of his most notable works include:

• Gehring, W.J. (1987). Homeoboxes in the study of development. Science, 236(4806), 1245-1252.
• Gehring, W.J., & Ikeo, K. (1999). Pax 6: mastering eye morphogenesis and eye evolution. Trends in Genetics, 15(9), 371-377.

See Also

• Genetic regulation of development
• Model organism
• Evolutionary developmental biology