Archetypes of Sex

Algae have played a crucial role in shaping our planet’s atmosphere, as they transform CO₂ into the oxygen we breathe. They contribute to building a sustainable future by aiding in the fight against climate change, providing new energy sources and essential resources for nutrition. NATHANAEL PRINGSHEIM (1823–1894), a pioneer of modern botany and a contemporary of Charles Darwin, revolutionized the understanding of biology. In his research on algae, Pringsheim revealed that sexuality was a fundamental principle even in organisms previously classified as “lower” life forms.

This book offers readers:

• exciting insights into the development of modern biology illustrated through Pringsheim’s fascinating life and scientific achievements,


• the first-ever account of the Pringsheim family, persecuted in the Third Reich, and their contributions to the natural sciences,


• an enthralling narrative of the challenging journey to establish the first German marine biology research station on the island of Helgoland,


• an appealing showcase of large-scale artistic interpretations of microscopic worlds, created by Pringsheim, also a master of scientific illustration


• and last but not least, new perspectives on algae research, which is more relevant today than ever before.