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Édouard-Gérard Balbiani

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Édouard-Gérard Balbiani
Born(1823-07-31)31 July 1823
Died25 July 1899(1899-07-25) (aged 75)
EducationFrankfurt, Paris
Known forThe general theory of the autonomy of the germ cell
ChildrenDaughter: Laure Binet
RelativesAlfred Binet, son-in-law
Scientific career
FieldsEmbryology, microbiology
InstitutionsCollège de France
Academic advisorsHenri Marie Ducrotay de Blainville

Édouard-Gérard Balbiani (July 31, 1823 – July 25, 1899) was a French embryologist born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.[1]

He was educated in Frankfurt and Paris. In Paris he studied natural sciences under zoologist Henri Marie Ducrotay de Blainville (1777-1850). In 1874 he became professor of embryogeny at the Collège de France, where he remained until his death in 1899.

Balbiani is known for his work in microbiology as well as his studies in embryology. He is credited with the discovery of sexual organ development in Chironomus which eventually led to the general theory on the autonomy of the germ cell. Also, he conducted comprehensive biological research on the sexual habits of Phylloxera vastatrix.[2] With anatomist Louis-Antoine Ranvier (1835-1922), he founded the Archives d'anatomie microscopique.

In 1884, his daughter Laure Balbiani married psychologist Alfred Binet.

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Selected publications

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References

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  1. ^ "Edouard-Gérard Balbiani". www.whonamedit.com. Retrieved 2021-01-23.
  2. ^ Paul, H.W. (2002) Science, Vine and Wine in Modern France