A new season for experimental neuroembryology: The mysterious history of Marian Lydia Shorey. Issue 4 (December 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Strata, Piergiorgio; Pareti, Germana
• Is Part Of: Endeavour. Volume 43:Issue 4(2019:Dec.)
• Publication Date: 2019-12
• Subjects: Lillie experimental embryology -- Chick development -- Marian Lydia Shorey -- Centre/periphery relationship -- Muscle/nerve development -- Neuroblast -- Differentiation -- Viktor Hamburger; Science -- Periodicals; Science -- History -- Periodicals; 509.005
• DOI: 10.1016/j.endeavour.2019.100707
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0160-9327

Abstract

Highlights: The framework of embryology between the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The birth of neuroembryology in the Unites States of America. The methods and the results of Marian Shorey in the context of Lillie's laboratory. The scientific legacy of Shorey on future research (Hamburger and Levi-Montacini). Abstract: At the turn of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, the landscape of emerging experimental embryology in the United States was dominated by the Canadian Frank Rattray Lillie, who combined his qualities as scientist and director with those of teacher at the University of Chicago. In the context of his research on chick development, he encouraged the young Marian Lydia Shorey to investigate the interactions between the central nervous system and the peripheral structures. The results were published in two papers which marked the beginning of a new branch of embryology, namely neuroembryology . These papers inspired ground-breaking enquiry by Viktor Hamburger which opened a new area of the research by Rita Levi-Montalcini, in turn leading to the discovery of the nerve growth factor, NGF.