Developed techniques for sterilization (steam sterilizer, hot air oven).
Contributions towards understanding and controlling microbial contamination.
Robert Koch
Father of Bacteriology.
Developed Koch's Postulates for identifying causative agents of diseases.
Discovered agents of Anthrax, Tuberculosis, and Cholera.
Developed solid media for bacterial culture (solidifying agent: Agar).
Nobel Prize for Tuberculosis discovery.
Koch's Postulates
The microorganism must be found in all organisms suffering from the disease, but not in healthy organisms.
The microorganism must be isolated from a diseased organism and grown in pure culture.
The cultured microorganism should cause disease when introduced into a healthy organism.
The microorganism must be re-isolated from the inoculated, diseased experimental host and identified as being identical to the original specific causative agent.
Ronald Ross
Discovered the malaria pathogen (plasmodium) and its life cycle involving mosquitoes.
Joseph Lister
Father of Antiseptic Surgery.
Introduced the use of carbolic acid (phenol) for sterilizing surgical instruments and cleaning wounds.
Development of antiseptic techniques to reduce infections.
Edward Jenner
Developed the smallpox vaccine using cowpox material.
Concept of vaccination and immune response.
John Tyndall
Developed Tyndallization, a method for sterilization by heating and cooling to kill spores.
Martinus Beijerinck and Dmitri Ivanovsky
Ivanovsky discovered that viruses are smaller than bacteria through filtration experiments.
Beijerinck confirmed and termed the concept of viruses.
Wendell Stanley crystallized the virus and confirmed its nature.
Élie Metchnikoff
Discovered phagocytosis.
Observed white blood cells (leukocytes) engulfing bacteria and other foreign particles.
Alexander Fleming
Discovered Penicillin and Lysozyme.
Penicillin: First antibiotic discovered from Penicillium notatum.
Lysozyme: Enzyme found in nasal secretions capable of breaking down bacterial cell walls.
Paul Ehrlich
Concept of Magic Bullet, targeted drug therapy.
Developed the first synthetic drug: Salvarsan for treating syphilis.
Other Contributions
Walter Hesse: Introduced the use of agar as a solidifying agent.
Selman Waksman: Discovered Streptomycin and other antibiotics.
Contributions to understanding DNA and its structure, RNA, and Enzymes:
Watson and Crick: DNA structure.
Rosalind Franklin: X-ray diffraction studies that led to the understanding of the DNA structure.
Various Scientists’ contributions to RNA, enzymes, and vaccinations.
Study Tips
Focus on understanding the contributions of each scientist and their discoveries.
Remember key concepts and techniques like Koch’s Postulates, Pasteurization, and discovery of vaccines (Jenner).
Practice matching scientists to their discoveries as typical exam questions.
Summary
Microbiology has a rich history with numerous contributions from various scientists.
Understanding the distinction between discovery and invention helps in appreciating the scientific advancements.
Key figures have laid the foundation for modern microbiology, medical advancements, and understanding of pathogens.
Q&A
Addressing any questions from students.
Encouragement towards sharing and joining future sessions.