Theodor Heinrich Boveri (12 October 1862 – 15 October 1915) was a German
zoologist,
comparative anatomist and co-founder of modern
cytology.[1] He was notable for the first hypothesis regarding
cellular processes that cause
cancer, and for describing
chromatin diminution in
nematodes.[2] His brother was industrialist
Walter Boveri. Boveri was married to the American biologist
Marcella O'Grady (1863–1950).[3] Their daughter
Margret Boveri (1900–1975) became one of the best-known journalists in post-World War II Germany.[4]
Boveri's work with
sea urchins showed that it was necessary to have all
chromosomes present in order for proper
embryonic development to take place.[5] This discovery was an important part of the
Boveri–Sutton chromosome theory.[6][7] He also discovered, in 1888, the importance of the
centrosome for the formation of the
spindle during
mitosis in animal cells, which he described as the especial organ of cell division.[6] Boveri also discovered the phenomenon of
chromatin diminution during embryonic development of the nematode Parascaris.[8][9]
Building on
Carl Rabl's knowledge that chromosomes are also present between two nuclear divisions in the cell nucleus, he developed the concept of chromosome individuality, i.e. the assumption that chromosomes retain their individuality during interphase.[10] Through long experiments on sea urchin eggs, he was also able to prove that the various chromosomes contain different genetic makeup.[11]
He also reasoned in 1902 that a
cancerous tumor begins with a single
cell in which the makeup of its chromosomes becomes scrambled, causing the cells to divide uncontrollably.[7][12] He proposed carcinogenesis was the result of aberrant mitoses and uncontrolled growth caused by
radiation, physical or chemical insults or by microscopic
pathogens.[13][14] His assumption was initially rejected by medical professionals; it was only later that researchers such as
Thomas Hunt Morgan in 1915 demonstrated that Boveri was correct.[15][16]
^Moritz, K B; Sauer H W (February 1996). "Boveri's contributions to developmental biology—a challenge for today". Int. J. Dev. Biol.40 (1): 27–47.
PMID8735909.