Vivarium : experimental, quantitative, and theoretical biology at Vienna's Biologische Versuchsanstalt / edited by Gerd B. Müller.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Müller, Gerd (Gerd B.), editor.

JSTOR (Online Service)

Series:

Vienna series in theoretical biology

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Vivariums.

Biology, Experimental.

Physical Description:

1 online resource.

Place of Publication:

Cambridge, MA : The MIT Press, [2017]

System Details:

text file

Summary:

The Biologische Versuchsanstalt was founded in Vienna in 1902 with the explicit goal to foster the quantification, mathematization, and theory formation of the biological sciences. Three biologists from affluent Viennese Jewish families-Hans Przibram, Wilhelm Figdor, and Leopold von Portheim-founded, financed, and nurtured the institute, overseeing its development into one of the most advanced biological research institutes of the time. And yet today its accomplishments are nearly forgotten. In 1938, the founders and other members were denied access to the institute by the Nazis and were forced into exile or deported to concentration camps. The building itself was destroyed by fire in April 1945. This book rescues the legacy of the "Vivarium" (as the Institute was often called), describing both its scientific achievements and its place in history. The book covers the Viennese sociocultural context at the time of the Vivarium's founding, and the scientific zeitgeist that shaped its investigations. It discusses the institute's departments and their research topics, and describes two examples that had scientific and international ramifications: the early work of Karl von Frisch, who in 1973 won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine; and the connection to Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory in New York. Book jacket.

Contents:

I Introduction 1

1 Biologische Versuchsanstalt: An Experiment in the Experimental Sciences / Gerd B. Müller Müller, Gerd B. 3

II Viennese Context 19

2 The Founders of the Biologische Versuchsanstalt: A Families' Topography / Georg Gaugusch Gaugusch, Georg 21

3 From the Aquarium to the Zoo to the Lab: Preludes to the Biologische Versuchsanstalt in the Viennese Wurstelprater / Klaus Taschwer Taschwer, Klaus 37

4 The Biologische Versuchsanstalt in Historical Context / Johannes Feichtinger Feichtinger, Johannes 53

III Scientific Zeitgeist 75

5 Experimental Biology and the Biomedical Ideal around the Year 1900 / Heiner Fangerau Fangerau, Heiner 77

6 The Emergence of Theoretical and General Biology: The Broader Scientific Context for the Biologische Versuchsanstalt / Manfred D. Laubichler Laubichler, Manfred D. 95

7 The Biologische Versuchsanstalt as a Techno-natural Assemblage: Artificial Environments, Animal Husbandry, and the Challenges of Experiemental Biology / Christian Reiß Reiß, Christian 115

IV Research Agenda 133

8 The Substance of Form: Hans Przibram's Quest for Biological Experiment, Quantification, and Theory / Gerd B. Müller Müller, Gerd B. 135

9 Growth, Development, and Regeneration: Plant Biology in Vienna around 1990 / Kärin Nickelsen Nickelsen, Kärin 165

10 Wolfgang Pauli and Colloid Science at the Biologische Versuchanstalt / Heiko Stoff Stoff, Heiko 189

11 The Physiology of Erotization: Comparative Neuroendocrinology in Eugen Steinach's Physiology Department / Cheryl A. Logan Logan, Cheryl A. 209

V Ramifications 231

12 Fish in the Prater: Karl von Frisch's Early Work at the Biologische Versuchsanstalt, 1909-1910 / Tania Munz Munz, Tania 233

13 The Biologische Versuchsanstalt in Transnational Perspective: The Cold Spring Harbor Connection / Kate E. Sohasky Sohasky, Kate E. 251.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Electronic reproduction. New York Available via World Wide Web.

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

9780262342049

0262342049

Publisher Number:

40027550740

Access Restriction:

Restricted for use by site license.