Obituary
We are deeply sorry for the loss of Dr. Ilse-Dore Adler, who was last active at Helmholtz Munich, German Research Center for Environmental Health, before retiring. Dr. Adler passed away on April 7, 2023.
Ilse-Dore Adler (1940 – 2023) studied biology, chemistry, and geography for teaching in Berlin and Tübingen, and completed her studies with the 1st state examination in 1965. From 1965 to 1968 she obtained her dissertation in the field of human cytogenetics under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Friedrich Vogel at the Institute of Anthropology and Human Genetics in Heidelberg. After her doctorate, she went to Boston, USA for 2 years and after her return, she worked as a scientific employee at the Institute of Mammalian Genetics of the GSF (Society for Radiation Research in Neuherberg). Here she was involved in various EU projects (1980-2004) across Europe on in vivo genotoxicity testing and aneuploidy. The new methods and results led to regulatory work within the European Union and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
Ilse-Dore Adler has also given numerous talks in Germany and abroad on her work in the fields of germ cell mutagens, aneuploidy, genotoxicity testing, and genetic risk assessment. She has published a large number of scientific papers (more than 200) and has also organized several international and national congresses.
From 1987 onwards, Ilse-Dore Adler contributed with her scientific expertise for more than 20 years to the Permanent Senate Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area within the German Research Foundation Foundation (MAK Commission). She worked in the working groups “Establishment of MAK Values” and “MAK Values and Pregnancy”. In addition, she chaired the working group “Germ Cell Mutagens” from 1998 to 2004 and was involved in the development of the categories for germ cell mutagens.
Ilsa-Dore Adler has been involved in the European Environmental Mutagenesis and Genomics Society (EEMGS) in many ways, her presidency from 199-2001 is particularly noteworthy. In 2009, she received the Fritz Sobels Award for her research in the field of aneuploidy.
An obituary for Ilse-Dore Adler would be incomplete without highlighting her special commitment to teaching and continuing education. From 1989 to 2004, she taught in the field of genetics at Texas University Medical School in Galveston, USA. She also lectured on the theme of “in vivo genotoxicity testing” as part of the advanced training to become a specialized toxicologist at the German Society for Pharmacology and Toxicology (DGPT).
Throughout her life, Ilse-Dore Adler was committed to the advancement of scientific knowledge and its translation into regulations. She was open-minded and assertive during discussions. Ilse-Dore Adler will be fondly remembered by her friends and colleagues.
