Theodor Schwann (Schwann Theodor)

(1810-1882)
Born Dec. 7, 1810 in Neisse near Dusseldorf. He graduated from a Jesuit college in Cologne, he studied natural sciences and medicine in Bonn, Wц?rzburg and Berlin. Until 1839 he worked as an assistant physiologist Muller in Berlin. In 1939-1948 - Professor of physiology and comparative anatomy of the University of Louvain, in 1848-1878 - Professor of University of Liц?ge.
The best known of Schwann in histology, as well as works on the cell theory. After reading the works of M. Jakob Schleiden, Schwann reviewed all available at the time histological material and found the principle of comparison, the cells of plants and elementary microscopic structures of animals. Taking as a typical element of cell structure of the nucleus, failed to show the community structure of the cells of plants and animals. In 1839 came the publication of the classic essay Schwann Microscopic studies of compliance in the structure and growth of plants and animals (Mikroskopische Untersuchungen ber die Uebereinstimmung in der Struktur und dem Wachstum der Tiere und Pflanzen).

As histology Schwan known works on the fine structure of the blood vessels, smooth muscles and nerves. Scientists have discovered and described a particular shell surrounding the nerve fiber (Schwann sheath). In addition, Schwan found in the gastric juice the enzyme pepsin and found that function, illustrating the fundamental analogy between the processes of digestion, fermentation and putrefaction.

Schwan was a member of the Royal Society of London (since 1879), the Paris Academy of Sciences (since 1879), the Royal Belgian Academy of Sciences, Literature and Fine Arts (c 1841). Schwan died in Cologne on January 11, 1882.