Scientist. Born in Berlin, he began his studies at the University of Jena in 1865 and later at the University of Berlin. In 1868, while still a medical student, he published an important paper describing the dendritic cells, which play an important immunological role in the human skin; they are now called Langerhans cells. His most famous achievement was the discovery of the pancreatic islets (1869), where insulin and other hormones are produced; these also bear his name. After the Franco-Prussian War, during which he worked as a military physician, he joined the University of Freiburg in Breisgau in 1871 and would later become an associate professor there. In 1874, pulmonary tuberculosis forced him to resign his academic career. After seeking a cure in Switzerland, Italy and Germany, in 1875 he decided to live in Madeira, where he practiced medicine and carried out a series of studies dealing with marine zoology. His body is buried in a cemetery he chose himself because it was "a true graveyard, isolated and quiet, a good place to rest."
Scientist. Born in Berlin, he began his studies at the University of Jena in 1865 and later at the University of Berlin. In 1868, while still a medical student, he published an important paper describing the dendritic cells, which play an important immunological role in the human skin; they are now called Langerhans cells. His most famous achievement was the discovery of the pancreatic islets (1869), where insulin and other hormones are produced; these also bear his name. After the Franco-Prussian War, during which he worked as a military physician, he joined the University of Freiburg in Breisgau in 1871 and would later become an associate professor there. In 1874, pulmonary tuberculosis forced him to resign his academic career. After seeking a cure in Switzerland, Italy and Germany, in 1875 he decided to live in Madeira, where he practiced medicine and carried out a series of studies dealing with marine zoology. His body is buried in a cemetery he chose himself because it was "a true graveyard, isolated and quiet, a good place to rest."
Bio by: Rogério Monteiro
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