Somatidian orthobiology is a new vision, a new way of explaining phenomena associated with living matter, taking into account the crucial existence of a very small living particle present in the blood: the somatid. This particle regulates all basic biological functions, such as cellular division and repair, two fundamental mechanisms maintaining life itself.
Somatids may only be observed in a liquid milieu, thus explaining why an electron microscope cannot detect its presence. This instrument, although capable of greater magnification and greater resolution, necessitates the dehydration of the specimen to be observed (the specimen then being dead).
The somatid cannot then be observed with this modern research tool, the only one in use today. The optical microscope was surpassed in the 1950's by the electron microscope. The optical microscope, often times considered obsolete today, can still render precious services in the field of fundamental biological research. Viewing live material contributes to a better understanding of life itself.
Studying the words 'somatidian orthobiology' reveals that this expression describes the study of life taking into account this small particle, the somatid.
Orthobiology : from the Greek word 'ortho' meaning 'to set straight' and 'bios' 'logos' the study of life.
'Somatidian' : from the Greek word 'soma' meaning 'the body' and 'tidos' meaning 'he who creates' (the somatid being the one creating the body).
Somatidian orthobiology, a theory of biology proposed by Gaston Naessens in the early 1960's, was developed following a series of interrelated events. Various applications of this theory came about subsequently and still more are being developed today. A review of events that led to this new theory of fundamental biology follows.
First, there is the man: Gaston Naessens. A biological researcher interested in the field of haematology, having aptitudes in manufacturing, mechanics and optics.
This led to :
The manufacture of a unique and very special optical instrument: the somatoscope (magnification power: 30 000X, resolution: in the order of 150 Angstroms) capable of viewing live matter without any staining.
This led to :
The discovery of a small particle in live human blood, much later called the somatid.
This led to :
The further study of this particle in culture. The further extraction and culture of this particle confirmed the living nature of the particle.
This led to :
The establishment of the cycle of the somatid in culture. The isolation of the extracted somatid placed in an ideal culture medium confirmed the presence of a definite growth cycle particular to the somatid (the somatidian theory).
The demonstration of the growth cycle in culture of this living particle correlated with the live blood of healthy people and the blood of diseased people revealed a specific somatidian cycle for human blood.