Tschermak-Woess studied
botany and
chemistry at the
University of Vienna. In 1948 she began her career as a cytologist with
Lothar Geitler. From 1971 to 1985 she was a professor of botany (cytology and genetics) at the University of Vienna. Noted for her excellent technique with the
light microscope, she discovered the presence of
polytene chromosomes in plants. She published several studies about the interactions between
mycobionts and
phycobionts as well as studies on
haustoria. Her field of work eventually shifted from cytology,
karyology and the biology of the lichen symbiosis to
epiphytic algae and lichen algae, especially their biology and
systematics. Tschermak-Woess published more than 100 scientific papers, including a book and the overview on lichen algae in
Margalith Galun's
Handbook of Lichenology (1988). Tschermak-Woess made a significant contribution to the understanding of lichen algae, and she
circumscribed the genera
Asterochloris,
Dilabifilum.
Elliptochloris, and
Hemochloris. About a third of Tschermak-Woess's publications are about cytology; frequent topics in this area include population cytogenetic studies on
Allium paniculatum, and the processes of
endomitosis and
endopolyploidy in
flowering plants. ==Selected works==