Vincent Wigglesworth
Encyclopedia
Sir Vincent Brian Wigglesworth FRS (17 April 1899 – 11 February 1994) was a British entomologist
who made significant contributions to the field of insect
physiology
.
In particular, he studied metamorphosis. His most significant contribution was the discovery that neurosecretory
cells in the brain of the South American kissing bug, Rhodnius prolixus
, secrete a crucial growth hormone
, prothoracicotropic hormone
(PTTH), which regulates the process of metamorphosis. This was the first experimental confirmation of the function of neurosecretory cells. He went on to discover another hormone, called the juvenile hormone
, which prevented the development of adult characteristics in R. prolixus until the insect had reached the appropriate larval stage. Wigglesworth was able to distort the developmental phases of the insect by controlling levels of this hormone. From these observations, Wigglesworth was able to develop a coherent theory of how an insect's genome
can selectively activate hormones which determine its development and morphology
.
. He received his degree from the University of Cambridge
and lectured at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, the University of London, and finally at the University of Cambridge
.
He was named Quick Professor of Biology
at the University of Cambridge in 1952, and knighted in 1964.
The bacterium Wigglesworthia glossinidia is named for him.
Entomology
Entomology is the scientific study of insects, a branch of arthropodology...
who made significant contributions to the field of insect
Insect
Insects are a class of living creatures within the arthropods that have a chitinous exoskeleton, a three-part body , three pairs of jointed legs, compound eyes, and two antennae...
physiology
Physiology
Physiology is the science of the function of living systems. This includes how organisms, organ systems, organs, cells, and bio-molecules carry out the chemical or physical functions that exist in a living system. The highest honor awarded in physiology is the Nobel Prize in Physiology or...
.
In particular, he studied metamorphosis. His most significant contribution was the discovery that neurosecretory
Neurosecretion
Neurosecretion is the synthesis and release of hormones from neurons. These hormones are normally secreted from nerve cells in the brain that then circulate into the blood. These neurohormones are similar to nonneural endocrine cells and glands in that they also regulate both endocrine and...
cells in the brain of the South American kissing bug, Rhodnius prolixus
Rhodnius prolixus
Rhodnius prolixus is the second most important triatomine vector of the Chagas parasite due to its efficient adaptation to the human domicile in northern South America, where sylvatic populations also exist, and in Central America where it is exclusively domestic...
, secrete a crucial growth hormone
Growth hormone
Growth hormone is a peptide hormone that stimulates growth, cell reproduction and regeneration in humans and other animals. Growth hormone is a 191-amino acid, single-chain polypeptide that is synthesized, stored, and secreted by the somatotroph cells within the lateral wings of the anterior...
, prothoracicotropic hormone
Prothoracicotropic hormone
Prothoracicotropic hormone was the first insect hormone that was discovered. It was originally described simply as "brain hormone" by early workers such as Stefan Kopeć and Vincent Wigglesworth , who realized that ligation of the head of immature insects could prevent molting or pupation of the...
(PTTH), which regulates the process of metamorphosis. This was the first experimental confirmation of the function of neurosecretory cells. He went on to discover another hormone, called the juvenile hormone
Juvenile hormone
Juvenile hormones are a group of acyclic sesquiterpenoids that regulate many aspects of insect physiology. JHs regulate development, reproduction, diapause, and polyphenisms....
, which prevented the development of adult characteristics in R. prolixus until the insect had reached the appropriate larval stage. Wigglesworth was able to distort the developmental phases of the insect by controlling levels of this hormone. From these observations, Wigglesworth was able to develop a coherent theory of how an insect's genome
Genome
In modern molecular biology and genetics, the genome is the entirety of an organism's hereditary information. It is encoded either in DNA or, for many types of virus, in RNA. The genome includes both the genes and the non-coding sequences of the DNA/RNA....
can selectively activate hormones which determine its development and morphology
Morphology (biology)
In biology, morphology is a branch of bioscience dealing with the study of the form and structure of organisms and their specific structural features....
.
Personal life
Wigglesworth served in the military in France in World War IWorld War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. He received his degree from the University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
and lectured at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, the University of London, and finally at the University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
.
He was named Quick Professor of Biology
Quick Professor of Biology
The Quick Professorship of Biology is one of the senior professorships in biology at the University of Cambridge.Frederick James Quick was a wealthy coffee merchant who was employed in the London law-firm Quick, Reek and James at the time of his death...
at the University of Cambridge in 1952, and knighted in 1964.
The bacterium Wigglesworthia glossinidia is named for him.
External links
- Beament, James. Obituary: Professor Sir Vincent Wigglesworth, The Independent on Sunday, 1994-02-16
- Sir Vincent Wigglesworth papers, University of Cambridge Janus archive (subscription required)