Élie Metchnikoff

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Leo Tolstoy & Ilya Mechnikov

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Professeur Metchnikoff, portrait du scientifique dans un laboratoire de recherche

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I. Mechnikov by Nik. Dm. Kuznetsov (GIM)

Élie Metchnikoff (also spelled Ilya Ilyich Mechnikov; 15 May 1845 – 15 July 1916) was a Russian zoologist and microbiologist best known for his pioneering research in immunology. He is considered one of the founders of immunology due to his discovery of phagocytosis, a process by which certain living cells called phagocytes engulf or ingest other cells or particles. This discovery earned him the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1908, which he shared with Paul Ehrlich for their work on immunity.

Biography

Élie Metchnikoff was born in Ivanovka, a village in the Kharkov Governorate of the Russian Empire (now in Ukraine). He displayed an early interest in biology and went on to study natural sciences at the University of Kharkov. After completing his degree, Metchnikoff continued his studies in Germany and Italy, where he began his research into the immune system.

In 1882, Metchnikoff was appointed as the chair of zoology at the University of Odessa. However, his work was often met with skepticism, and he faced many challenges in his academic career in Russia. Seeking a more supportive environment for his research, Metchnikoff moved to Paris in 1888, where he joined the Pasteur Institute. It was here that he made his most significant contributions to science.

Phagocytosis

Metchnikoff's interest in the mechanisms of immunity was sparked by his observations of the larvae of starfish. He noticed that certain cells in the larvae would move towards and engulf foreign objects such as thorns. He hypothesized that a similar mechanism might exist in animals to combat infection. Through further research, Metchnikoff identified cells in the blood that engulfed bacteria, which he named phagocytes, and the process he called phagocytosis. This discovery was crucial in the development of the field of immunology.

Later Life and Legacy

Throughout his career, Metchnikoff also explored other areas of biology, including embryology and aging. He proposed the theory that lactic acid bacteria could prolong life, which led to the popularization of yogurt as a health food in the early 20th century.

Metchnikoff's work laid the foundation for the modern understanding of the immune system and has had a lasting impact on the field of microbiology and immunology. He continued to work at the Pasteur Institute until his death in 1916.

Awards and Honors

In recognition of his contributions to science, Metchnikoff was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1908. His work has been celebrated for its profound impact on the understanding of the immune system and has paved the way for further research in immunology and microbiology.

See Also

• Immunology
• Phagocytes
• Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
• Pasteur Institute