65th Birthday of Professor T. Martinee

I t was on November 13, 1974, tha t Prof. Theodor Martinec, DSe., holder of the Order of Labour, chairman of the Czechoslovak Society of Micro- biology at the Academy of Sciences, and a top specialist in the field of bac- terial taxonomy, celebrated his 65th bir thday.

After graduating from the Facul ty of Science of the Charles Universi ty in Prague he shifted to the same faculty in Brno where he was appointed in 1948 professor of general and systematic botany. From 1952 up to October 1974 he chaired the depar tment of microbiology and genetics of the Facul ty of Science in Brno and since 1963 he has been the head of the Czechoslovak Collection of Microorganisms.

Prof. Martinee has been active both in teaching and in scientific research. In the field of pedagogy, he trained a number of lecturers and scientists who have since assumed important positions in the world of science. His teaching success was not due only to his wide experience and knowledge bu t first of all to his ability to form contacts and friendly relationships with young people. I t is because of this that his pupils acquired a correct approach to life and society and that they have always remembered and respected him.

As a student, T. Martinec focused his attention on systematic botany, in which he published his first paper. After his transfer to Brno, most of his work dealt with plant physiology and ecology. Greatest interest was aroused by his studies of soil activity and inhibition.

After World War II , Prof. Martinec devoted a number of years to studying the occurrence and effect of the antibacterial substances produced by higher plants, the so-called phytoncides. His pioneering work was acclaimed both because of new findings and because of his developing a method of isolating these active compounds which was subsequently used b y many authors both for theoretical and practical purposes.

In the late fifties, Prof. Martinec concentrated his at tention on bacterial t axonomy and was particularly active in founding a modern Czechoslovak Collection of Microorganisms. The collection not only contains a respectable number of strains and is involved in a broad exchange with various countries bu t also it has st imulated the organization of regular taxonomic conferences and symposia known in all Europe.

In his taxonomical studies, Prof. Martinec has never shunned the most modern approaches, thus supplementing morphology and physiology with the biochemistry of DNA and with the results of advanced ultrathin section and replica techniques. He has always applied evolutionary views in the painstaking work of developing a natural system of bacteria.

He has published some 140 papers and reviews and is a member of numer- ous scientific societies both in Czechoslovakia and abroad.

His teaching duties were always linked with an active participation in public life, particularly in various learned institutions; for ten years he was rector of the J. E. Purkyn~ Universi ty in Brno. At present he is vice-chairman of the Municipal Committee of the National Front and mem- ber of the Czechoslovak Committee for Security in Europe. I t was for his versatile political as well as scientific accomplishments tha t he was decor- .ated in 1964 with the Order of Labour.

194

All the work of Prof. Martinec has been characterized by an open and honest bu t also tactful and sensitive approach to people, by a love for teach- ing and research, by modesty and lack of pretence. I t is for these qualities, for his readiness to help others and to tolerate differing views, as well as for his sense of humour, tha t he is loved and respected by all who know him.

Editorial Board