Microbiology Review Series: History of Microbiology

Key Figures and Concepts

Lifespan: 1635 - 1703
Contributions: First person to observe larger cells using a microscope
- Observed cork structure, termed as 'cell' (means small room in Latin)
- Marked the beginning of cell theory: all living things are made of cells

Lifespan: 1632 - 1723
Contributions: Father of Microbiology
- Developed a microscope lens powerful enough to observe microbes
- First to observe live microorganisms, described them as 'animalcules' or 'wee, little beasties'

Spontaneous Generation: Life can arise spontaneously from non-living matter (e.g., maggots from rotting meat)
- Francesco Redi (1600s): Disproved this by showing maggots do not appear in sealed containers
Biogenesis: All living cells arise from preexisting cells; not from non-living things
- Louis Pasteur: Ultimately disproved spontaneous generation in 1859

Lifespan: 1749 - 1823
Contributions: Foundation for vaccination
- Observed immunity to smallpox in milkmaids who had cowpox
- Injected cowpox lesions into a healthy boy; boy became immune to smallpox
- Term 'vacca' in vaccination means cow in Latin

Lifespan: 1822 - 1895
Contributions:
- Disproved spontaneous generation; supported biogenesis
- Demonstrated that microorganisms cause fermentation (sugar to alcohol without oxygen)
- Developed pasteurization to prevent spoilage in beer and wine
- Instrumental in developing vaccines for cholera, rabies, anthrax
- Supported germ theory of disease: diseases are caused by microorganisms

Lifespan: 1827 - 1912
Contributions: Applied germ theory to surgery
- Advocated for handwashing before surgery
- Treated surgical wounds with phenol, reducing post-op infections
- Known as the father of antiseptic surgery; 'Listerine' named after him

Lifespan: 1843 - 1910
Contributions:
- Discovered causative agents of diseases like anthrax
- Developed a technique for pure cultures
- Established Koch's postulates to link specific microorganisms to specific diseases
  - Postulate 1: Suspected pathogen must be present in all diseased but absent in healthy individuals
  - Postulate 2: Pathogen must be isolated and grown in pure culture
  - Postulate 3: Healthy individual infected with pathogen should develop same symptoms as the original diseased
  - Postulate 4: Pathogen must be re-isolated from new host and be identical to original

Lifespan: 1881 - 1955
Contributions: Discovered penicillin, the first natural antibiotic
- Noticed mold inhibiting bacterial growth on plates

Discovered that heating wine/beer kills microbes: Louis Pasteur
Treated surgical wounds with phenol: Joseph Lister
First to observe live microorganisms: Antonie van Leeuwenhoek
Discovered penicillin: Alexander Fleming
Developed technique for pure cultures and systematic approach for disease causation: Robert Koch