In 1910, Arthur Biedl published a comprehensive textbook on endocrinology titled Innere Sekretion, establishing himself as a significant figure in the development of the field. His career spanned decades of physiological and pathological research, focusing primarily on the mechanisms of glandular secretions and the functional complexities of the human endocrine system.
Early Career and Academic Path
Born in Comloșu Mic in 1869, Biedl completed his medical education at the University of Vienna. Beginning in 1893, he served as an assistant at the institute of experimental pathology under Salomon Stricker, Philipp Knoll, and Richard Paltauf. His academic progression through the institution was rapid, leading to an associate professorship in 1899 and a full professorship by 1902. Throughout his career, he maintained an affiliation with the University of Vienna, while his research reach extended to professional work in Prague.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →The Blood-Brain Barrier
In 1898, Biedl collaborated with R. Kraus to investigate the movement of bile salts within the circulatory system. Their experiments demonstrated that these substances failed to affect animal behavior when injected into the bloodstream. The researchers hypothesized that a semipermeable membrane protected the central nervous system from solutes circulating in the blood. This finding contributed to the scientific foundations later codified by Max Lewandowsky, who coined the term blood-brain barrier, as well as subsequent verification by Edwin Goldmann and Paul Ehrlich using aniline dyes.
Endocrinology and Syndromic Research
Biedl specialized in the study of glands and internal secretions. His 1910 publication, Innere Sekretion, provided a detailed bibliography and analysis of endocrine function, reaching a fourth edition by 1922. In 1928, he founded the journal Endokrinologie to further the field. In 1922, he published clinical observations of two sisters who presented with polydactyly, retinitis pigmentosa, hypogonadism, and obesity. This clinical description became the basis for Bardet-Biedl syndrome, a condition he studied independently of findings previously reported by Georges Bardet.
Fast facts
- Born: 1869, Comloșu Mic
- Died: 1933, Steinbach am Attersee
- Citizenship: Austria
- Primary Fields: Pathology, Endocrinology
- Academic Base: University of Vienna
- Notable Publication: Innere Sekretion (1910)
- Founded: Endokrinologie journal (1928)
Questions readers ask
What is Bardet-Biedl syndrome?
It is a medical condition characterized by symptoms including retinitis pigmentosa, polydactyly, hypogonadism, and obesity, which Biedl documented in 1922.
What was Biedl's role in the discovery of the blood-brain barrier?
In 1898, he and R. Kraus identified that a selective membrane prevented certain solutes in the blood from entering the central nervous system.
Achievements
- Held posts at University of Vienna
- Fields: pathology and endocrinology
