Founder of systems chemistry and foundational theoretical biologist: Tibor Gánti (1933–2009)

• Tibor Gánti was an extremely deep theoretical biologist.
• He was one of the founders of the new field of systems chemistry.
• Gánti was in many ways ahead of his time.
• He is likely to exert a long-lasting influence on his favourite fields.

With his chemoton theory theoretical biologist and chemical engineer Tibor Gánti was one of the most outstanding intellects behind systems chemistry and the at the foundations of theoretical biology. A brief review of his oeuvre is presented. This essay introduces a special issue dedicated to his memory.