1862-1915

German cytologist who proved that chromosomes are independent entities. Emphasizing that chromosomes are organized structures, he showed that each chromosome is responsible for certain hereditary characteristics. Boveri and Edouard van Beneden independently discovered a structure connecting the chromosomes during cell division. Calling it the centrosome, Boveri demonstrated that it provides the division center for the cell. Boveri's work has greatly influenced subsequent cytological interpretation of genetic phenomena.