1843-1905

German anatomist (1843-1905) who first observed and identified the stages of mitosis. Using new synthetic dyes, Flemming found material, which he named chromatin, within the cell nucleus. Observing the chromatin at different phases, he traced the process of cell division, calling it mitosis. Although Flemming himself was not aware of the relation of his findings to genetics, his work provided the underlying physical basis for inheritance when Gregor Mendel's theories were rediscovered.