Otto Funcke

Otto Funke was a pioneering German physiologist known for his groundbreaking work in the field of blood research. Born in Chemnitz, he pursued his studies at the universities of Leipzig and Heidelberg, eventually becoming a lecturer at Leipzig in 1852. His academic career flourished as he was appointed associate professor in 1853 and later a full professor of physiology at the University of Freiburg in 1860. Funke's contributions to physiology were significant, particularly his achievement in 1851 when he became the first scientist to successfully crystallize hemoglobin, a feat that laid the groundwork for future studies by Felix Hoppe-Seyler and others in the field of blood chemistry. In addition to his work on hemoglobin, Funke conducted important research on blood formation in the spleen and explored the physiological effects of curare, a muscle relaxant. His influence extended to his students, including the notable physiologist Karl Ewald Konstantin Hering. Funke's innovative research and teaching left a lasting impact on the field of physiology, establishing him as a key figure in 19th-century medical science and contributing to the understanding of blood and its functions in the human body.