JOURNAL ARTICLE

Biologist Nikolai K. Koltzoff: the forgotten genius.

  • Published In: Genetics, 2023, v. 224, n. 1. P. 1 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Ptushenko, Vasily V.; Ramensky, Evgeny V. 3 of 3

Abstract

The article focuses on the life, scientific contributions, and legacy of Nikolai K. Koltzoff (Koltsov) (1872–1940), a foundational figure in Russian biology who initiated Russian physicochemical biology and established a prominent scientific school. Koltzoff made several pioneering discoveries, including the cytoskeleton (1903), early formulations of the mechanism of hereditary information copying (1927), and principles of epigenetics (including coining the term in 1934), and he laid groundwork for chemical mutagenesis and sex regulation studies. Despite his influence on key geneticists and the Modern Synthesis of evolutionary theory, his name was suppressed in the USSR due to his opposition to Lysenkoism, leading to his relative obscurity. The article also outlines the scientific achievements and fates of his disciples across diverse fields such as genetics, biochemistry, embryology, and hydrobiology, highlighting the political challenges they faced under Soviet rule.

Additional Information

  • Source:Genetics. 2023/05, Vol. 224, Issue 1, p1
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Health and Medicine
  • Publication Date:2023
  • ISSN:0016-6731
  • DOI:10.1093/genetics/iyad033
  • Accession Number:163632674
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