Stéphane Leduc

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Stéphane Leduc (1 November 1853 – 8 March 1939) was a French biologist who explored how life might be explained by physical and chemical processes. He conducted experiments that used diffusion, osmosis, and other chemical ideas to create life-like forms, suggesting that living shapes can arise from the laws of physics and chemistry.

Leduc believed that biological development should be understood from a physical perspective. He built models and experiments that mimicked life’s processes, such as cell-like growth and fungus‑like structures, using purely chemical systems. He rejected the idea that life is driven by anything beyond physical forces.

He taught at the École de Médecine de Nantes and conducted work on osmotic crystallisation and the physiological effects of electric current. He was honored as an Officier de la Légion d'honneur for his contributions.

Key publications include:
- Les bases physiques de la vie et la biogenèse (1906)
- La biologie synthétique, étude de biophysique (1912)

Impact: Leduc is seen as an early figure in synthetic or “biological” modeling, showing how life-like forms can emerge from physical and chemical processes, though his experiments were often viewed as artificial or controversial.