Edward B. Lewis

Edward B. Lewis was an influential American geneticist known for his groundbreaking research on the genetics of fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster). His work significantly advanced the field of genetics, particularly in understanding how genes control development and body structure. Lewis discovered key genetic mechanisms that influence the formation of body segments in these flies, which provided insights applicable to other organisms, including humans. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1995 for his contributions, which have had lasting impacts on genetics, developmental biology, and our understanding of hereditary diseases.