List of days of the year

10 February - John Franklin Enders birth anniversary

 


John Franklin Enders (10 February 1897 – 08 September 1985) was an American biomedical scientist and Nobel laureate in physiology or medicine. He is best known for his work on the cultivation of viruses, which laid the foundation for the development of vaccines, particularly the polio vaccine.

Here are some key points about John Franklin Enders:

  1. Polio Vaccine: Enders, along with his colleagues Thomas H. Weller and Frederick C. Robbins, received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1954 for their groundbreaking work on the cultivation of the poliomyelitis virus in non-nervous tissue cultures. This paved the way for the development of the polio vaccine.

  2. Cultivation of Viruses: Prior to Enders' work, many viruses, including the poliovirus, could not be easily studied or developed into vaccines because they could not be cultivated in laboratory conditions. Enders and his team's success in growing the poliovirus in tissue cultures was a major breakthrough.

  3. Early Life and Education: John Enders was born on February 10, 1897, in West Hartford, Connecticut. He earned his undergraduate degree from Yale University and his medical degree from Harvard Medical School.

  4. Mumps and Measles Vaccines: Enders continued his research on virus cultivation and was involved in the development of vaccines for mumps and measles. The successful cultivation of these viruses in the laboratory allowed for the development of effective vaccines.

  5. Career: Enders had a distinguished career as a medical researcher and educator. He held various academic positions, including at Harvard Medical School and the Children's Hospital Boston. He made significant contributions to virology and immunology.

John Franklin Enders' work not only revolutionized the study of viruses but also had a profound impact on public health by enabling the development of vaccines that have saved countless lives. His contributions to the field of virology have had lasting implications in the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases.

 

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