Boris Ephrussi is best known for his pioneering research on the biochemical genetics of the fruit fly. These studies provided new techniques for integrating genetics and embryology, disciplines that had become increasing separated in the early twentieth century with the establishment of Mendelian genetics. Ephrussi's work demonstrated the relationship between genes and the enzymatic control of reactions involved in development and differentiation. Ephrussi thought of the organization of the cell as an important part of the genetic system and challenged the view of the cell as simply a "bag of enzymes." He also made important contributions to the methodology of somatic cell hybridization.

Boris Ephrussi was born in Moscow, Russia. After graduating from high school, he spent a year at a school of fine arts. Ephrussi decided to study biology instead of art, while a university student, but he became involved in the turmoil of the Russian revolution...