In the history of Department of Biochemistry of Istanbul Medical Faculty (1933-1957) three German scientists; Werner Lipschitz, Felix Haurowitz and Zdenko Stary

Abstract

Escaping from the chaotic environment of Germany before World War II, several scientists, some of whom were biochemists, took refuge in Turkey and made huge contributions in the preparations of new university reforms beginning in 1933. During this period, three well-known biochemistry scholars, Werner Lipschitz, Felix Haurowitz and Zdenko Stary were accepted into the Biochemistry Institute of Istanbul University, and each one of these scientists became the head of this institute respectively. Being at the zenith of their careers, these three scientists spent their most prolific years in the Biochemistry Institute. The first biochemist taking charge of the reforms, Werner Lipschitz, established a fully equipped laboratory during his term in his own right and with the support of some officials. During his stint, he published several articles and a biochemistry book. However, Lipschitz had to challenge some difficulties such as learning Turkish and finding qualified Turkish assistants. Felix Haurowitz and Zdenko Stary, on the other hand, learnt Turkish in a short time and gave their lectures in Turkish. Conducting many studies, encouraging their Turkish assistants to involve in most of these studies and training them attentively, these academicians emphasized the importance of the graduate 'PhD' education and tried to give education to all of their assistants. They gave lectures in several fields, designed courses and attracted attention to the science of biochemistry. Besides, they published biochemistry books in Turkish. Thus, they made contributions to the development of scientific mentality in the field of biochemistry in Turkey.