Lewis Wolpert was a developmental biologist and eminent advocate for the public understanding of science. Through research into body and limb patterning in developing organisms, Lewis formulated the theory of positional information — now a central concept that describes how cells do the right thing in the right place to morph correctly within the embryo.
Lewis studied morphogenesis and pattern development in marine invertebrates, hydra and chicks. He hypothesised that the physical location of cells in the embryo confers how they behave — for example which genes they switch on or off — and how they respond to external signals, giving rise to the correct formation and positioning of anatomy.
As an author and broadcaster, Lewis championed the value of science and helped to raise the profile of mental illness through a part-autobiographical book about depression. He served as Chair of the Committee on the Public Understanding of Science and was a patron of the British Humanist Association.
Professor Lewis Wolpert CBE FMedSci FRS died on 28 January 2021.
Subject groups
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Patterns in Populations
Evolution
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Health and Human Sciences
Medicine, clinical studies
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Other
Public understanding of science
Awards
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Medawar Lecture
On 'Is science dangerous?'.
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Michael Faraday Prize and Lecture
For his enormous contribution to the public understanding of science most notably through his Chairmanship of COPUS and his varied and wide-ranging television and radio programmes as well as his regular contributions to the national broadsheet newspapers.
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Royal Medal
For his research on morphogenesis and pattern formation that led to the concept of positional information in embryonic development.
