Never riding the tide Seymour Benzer — The founder of neurogenetics

Seymour Benzer pioneered the use of the fruitfly Drosophila melanogaster as a model system for the study of nervous system function and development. His research spanned a range of topics from identification of mutations resulting in temperature-induced paralysis to neurodegenerative diseases and circadian rhythm. Benzer’s indomitable style as a scientist is well worth emulating; his work was driven by his curiosity rather than public pressure or fashion trends.