Professor Zvonimir Devide — On the Occasion of his 65th Anniversary

Zvonimir Dévidé, Ph. D. habil., Professor of cell biology and plant physiology at the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics of the University of Zagreb, was born on 6.8.1921 in Lenart, Slovenske Gorice (North-eastern Slovenia). Having completed his studies at the Philosophical Faculty in Zagreb and in Vienna (where his academic advisor was prof. dr. Lothar Geitler) he started to work in 1948 as asistant in the Botanic Institute of the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics of the University of Zagreb. In 1961 he became asistant professor, in 1970 professor and in 1981 head of the Botanical Institute and Botanical garden. In 1953 he was awarded a scholarship of the British Council and worked with Prof. C. D. Darlington in Hertford. In 1954 he organized the Laboratory for electron microscopy at the »Ruder Boskovic« Institute which he supervised until 1973. In the same year he was elected as axtraordinary member of the Yugoslav Academy of Sciences and Arts in Zagreb. In 1976 he was awarded the »Ruder Boskovic« prize for his achievments in the field of science. In 1980 he was nominated scientific counsellor of the »Ruder Boskovic« Institute. In 1981 he became an active member of the New York Academy of Sciences. Prof, Dévidé is a member of many scientific societies as well as organizer and active participant of numerous scientific meetings. During the last few years his activities are particularly remarkable with respect to his decisive attitudes concerning the protection of nature and of human environment. He has educated a great number of students, the best of them working at present within the scope of modern specialisations such as cell biology (cytogenetical research, plant tumor research, electron-microscopic research of plant cells ultrastructure, especially of plastides etc.) and plant physiology (physiology of plant development, biochemical research of plants, plant tissue culture, physiology and culture of algae and others). His research is very extensive. He has investigated cell structure of large forms of colourless sulphur bacteria on the basis of his own new methods of cultivation, and has stated that DNA is not connected with microscopically perceptible basophilic bodies which he showed to be a product of cell metabolism. He has proved through kariological research of ciliates the true nature of chromosomes in meiosis and has explained the until then inexplicable mitosis of micronucleus, thus creating the basis for the interpretation of endomitotic poliploidy of the macronucleus. He also initiated research on growth and differentiation of plant cells and tissues in vitro with particular regard to changes of kariotype and degrees of polyploidy. He has participated in elaboration of new methods in electron-microscopy, investigated the effects of ionizing radiation on development of plastides and the effects of various factors on plastides and mitochondria including their ultrastructure. Plastide differentiation and reversibility of plastid transformations have been of focal interest to him. He also introduced physiological investigations of duck-weeds. He is also noted for his research on optical analyses of shine and colours of plant organs (leaves and fruits), he participated as well in biochemical research of flower-plants and has written some floristic notes. Of particular interest is his translation of the General part of the 31st edition of Strasburger’s Textbook of botany for high schools (1982). He has also written chapter VIII of the book by B. Varićak: Mikroskop (1956) which has been reprinted several times. Prof. Dévidé has also received an education in music. He has been an active violinist and violist in the String Orchestra of Crotian Musical Institution for 32 years, taking part in about 300 concerts, several times as a soloist. He is a member of the presidency of Croatian Musical Institution and chairman of it’s Section for viola and viola music. Prof. Dévidé is an outstanding teacher both of students and the general public. He has played an important role in the education of new research and was for 20 years the head of postgraduate studies in biology. He is well-known as an outstanding scientist and one of the top biologists. His outstanding achievments and personality will certainly be remembered for many years. We wish him good health and may he have the energy to share with us his interest and curiosity for scientific research