Ernst Leopold Salkowski
Encyclopedia
Ernst Leopold Salkowski (October 11, 1844 – March 8, 1923) was a German biochemist
who was a native of Königsberg
.
He received his education at the University of Königsberg
, and in 1872 was an assistant at the chemical laboratory of Rudolf Virchow
's Institute of Pathology in Berlin, where he became head of the department of chemistry
in 1880.
Salkowski specialized in the fields of physiological
and pathological
chemistry. In 1890 he became the first to describe tissue autolysis, which he named "auto-digestion", and in 1892 was the first to describe pentosuria
. He is remembered for developing tests for detection of various compounds and substances, such as cholesterol
, creatinine
, bile pigments, carbon monoxide
, and indole
.
Salkowski also conducted research on urea
, which he documented in a book published with internist Wilhelm von Leube
(1842-1922) called Die Lehre vom Harn. Another important work of his was Practicum der physiologischen und pathologischen Chemie, which was later translated into English as "A Laboratory Manual of Physiological and Pathological Chemistry".
Biochemist
Biochemists are scientists who are trained in biochemistry. Typical biochemists study chemical processes and chemical transformations in living organisms. The prefix of "bio" in "biochemist" can be understood as a fusion of "biological chemist."-Role:...
who was a native of Königsberg
Königsberg
Königsberg was the capital of East Prussia from the Late Middle Ages until 1945 as well as the northernmost and easternmost German city with 286,666 inhabitants . Due to the multicultural society in and around the city, there are several local names for it...
.
He received his education at the University of Königsberg
University of Königsberg
The University of Königsberg was the university of Königsberg in East Prussia. It was founded in 1544 as second Protestant academy by Duke Albert of Prussia, and was commonly known as the Albertina....
, and in 1872 was an assistant at the chemical laboratory of Rudolf Virchow
Rudolf Virchow
Rudolph Carl Virchow was a German doctor, anthropologist, pathologist, prehistorian, biologist and politician, known for his advancement of public health...
's Institute of Pathology in Berlin, where he became head of the department of chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry is the science of matter, especially its chemical reactions, but also its composition, structure and properties. Chemistry is concerned with atoms and their interactions with other atoms, and particularly with the properties of chemical bonds....
in 1880.
Salkowski specialized in the fields of physiological
Physiological chemistry
Physiological chemistry is the chemistry of the organs and tissues of the body and of the various physiological processes incident to life. Physiological chemistry is essentially the precursor to modern biochemistry. In the nineteenth century, physiological chemistry dealt primarily with...
and pathological
Pathology
Pathology is the precise study and diagnosis of disease. The word pathology is from Ancient Greek , pathos, "feeling, suffering"; and , -logia, "the study of". Pathologization, to pathologize, refers to the process of defining a condition or behavior as pathological, e.g. pathological gambling....
chemistry. In 1890 he became the first to describe tissue autolysis, which he named "auto-digestion", and in 1892 was the first to describe pentosuria
Pentosuria
Pentosuria is a condition where xylulose presents in the urine in unusually high concentrations.It is associated with a deficiency of L-xylulose reductase....
. He is remembered for developing tests for detection of various compounds and substances, such as cholesterol
Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a complex isoprenoid. Specifically, it is a waxy steroid of fat that is produced in the liver or intestines. It is used to produce hormones and cell membranes and is transported in the blood plasma of all mammals. It is an essential structural component of mammalian cell membranes...
, creatinine
Creatinine
Creatinine is a break-down product of creatine phosphate in muscle, and is usually produced at a fairly constant rate by the body...
, bile pigments, carbon monoxide
Carbon monoxide
Carbon monoxide , also called carbonous oxide, is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that is slightly lighter than air. It is highly toxic to humans and animals in higher quantities, although it is also produced in normal animal metabolism in low quantities, and is thought to have some normal...
, and indole
Indole
Indole is an aromatic heterocyclic organic compound. It has a bicyclic structure, consisting of a six-membered benzene ring fused to a five-membered nitrogen-containing pyrrole ring. Indole is a popular component of fragrances and the precursor to many pharmaceuticals. Compounds that contain an...
.
Salkowski also conducted research on urea
Urea
Urea or carbamide is an organic compound with the chemical formula CO2. The molecule has two —NH2 groups joined by a carbonyl functional group....
, which he documented in a book published with internist Wilhelm von Leube
Wilhelm Olivier Leube
Wilhelm Olivier Leube was a German internist who was a native of Ulm.He studied medicine in Tübingen, Zurich, Berlin and Munich, and from 1868 worked as an assistant at the medical clinic in Erlangen. In 1872 he became a professor of pathology and special therapy, as well as director of the...
(1842-1922) called Die Lehre vom Harn. Another important work of his was Practicum der physiologischen und pathologischen Chemie, which was later translated into English as "A Laboratory Manual of Physiological and Pathological Chemistry".
Further reading
- Dorlands Medical Dictionary (definitions of various Salkowski tests)