19.09.2025In Memoriam - Albert Schinzel

It is with deep sadness that we bid farewell to Prof. Emeritus Dr. med. Albert A.G.L. Schinzel, an outstanding physician and human geneticist whose scientific life's work and humanitarian efforts have left a lasting mark.

Albert Schinzel was born in Vienna and studied medicine in Innsbruck, Vienna and Berlin. His scientific career took him to Oulu (Finland) and Seattle (USA) before he joined the Institute of Medical Genetics at the University of Zurich. Under the direction of Werner Schmid, he first became an associate professor in 1986, followed in 1996 by his appointment as full professor and director of the institute, which he headed until his retirement in early 2009. His high academic reputation was reflected in his presidency not only of the Swiss Society for Medical Genetics, but also of the European Cytogeneticists Association and the European Society of Human Genetics.

Albert Schinzel was a pioneer in medical genetics who contributed significantly to our knowledge of the clinical effects of chromosomal abnormalities. His resulting "Catalogue of Unbalanced Chromosome Aberrations in Man" (Walter de Gruyter Verlag, 1983, 2^nd edition 2001) remains the fundamental reference work in this field to this day. In recent decades, he broadened his focus to include molecular aspects: he uncovered ‘hidden’ chromosomal abnormalities such as microdeletions, identified complex cases of ‘asymmetric’ chromosome inheritance (uniparental disomy) and made a decisive contribution to the integration of molecular cytogenetics into diagnostics and research. His deep understanding of the genetic basis of malformations and syndromes made it possible to classify many previously puzzling clinical findings more clearly. No fewer than five syndromes bear his name. Particularly influential was his identification of Schinzel-Giedion syndrome, a congenital developmental disorder with characteristic facial and skeletal changes, which he first described together with Zurich-based paediatric radiologist Andres Giedion.

He was also highly regarded as a teacher and mentor. Among other things, he shaped the annual Goldrain Course on Clinical Cytogenetics, which took place near his own small castle in South Tyrol, and later the Goldrain Course on Prenatal Genetic Diagnosis — important training courses that brought together clinical genetic diagnostics, cytogenetics and molecular procedures. However, broad general knowledge was also important to him, and as a true polymath, he impressed with his encyclopaedic knowledge in many fields. His numerous students also included new chair holders, namely Prof. Johannes Lemke, MD, Human Genetics at the University of Leipzig, and Prof. Nataliya Di Donato, MD, Human Genetics at Hannover Medical School.

With Albert Schinzel's passing, we have lost a visionary, teacher and pioneer. His influence lives on – in scientific publications, in his students, in clinics, in the lives of those who were helped by his work – and in the hearts of those who knew and appreciated him.

Our deepest sympathy goes out to his family and friends. May his memory be a source of inspiration – for high scientific quality, for passionate medicine and for dedication to teaching and research.

AR~BK