What's New » UCI Libraries Dedicate Howard and Sylvia G. Lenhoff Gift

UC Irvine Libraries dedicate an exhibit of the gifts donated by Howard and Sylvia G. Lenhoff on display in the Science Library 1st floor entrance lobby.

Abraham Trembley: A Pioneer in Developmental Biology

The UCI Libraries has dedicated a new exhibit based on gifts from Professor Emeritus of Biology Howard Lenhoff and Sylvia G. Lenhoff, former director of relations with schools and colleges at UCI. The Lenhoffs, who are husband and wife, have given the library a rare first-edition copy of Swiss scientist Abraham Trembley’s groundbreaking research monograph on the freshwater polyp hydra, published in French in 1744. Only an estimated 60 original copies of the text remain, and this copy will be the third in possession of the University of California system.

In addition, the Lenhoffs have donated an antique 1760 aquatic single lens microscope, which was used to see aquatic organisms, such as these polyps, and a copy of their 1986 translation of Trembley’s seminal work, Memoirs Concerning the Natural History of a Type of Freshwater Polyp With Arms Shaped Like Horns. The Lenhoffs donated the beautiful exhibit case in which the gifts will remain on display in the UCI Science Library.

Trembley is credited with many key discoveries on hydra, which remains a vital research organism for man biologists. Howard Lenhoff made many advances in research with hydra as a faculty member in the Department of Developmental and Cell Biology. Today, the Lenhoffs are involved with research on Williams syndrome, a rare neurodevelopment condition, while UCI is leading an international effort to sequence the genome of hydra.

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