From the Prague Spring to a chair in nephrology in Germany: Jan Brod (1912-1985).

An eminent clinician, teacher and scientist, Jan Brod (1912–1985) was among the founders of academic nephrology in post-war Europe. In particular, he pioneered the pathophysiological approach to kidney disease and hypertension. Today, Brod is nearly unknown to the younger generation of nephrologists, not least because few publications have dealt with his remarkable life. His journey through nephrology provides an opportunity to encounter some of the ‘giants’ in 20th century medicine, while his personal odyssey is a lively reflection of European history.