Frederick Twort

British bacteriologist

Frederick Twort

Frederick William Twort (22 October 1877 – 20 March 1950) was a pioneering British bacteriologist who is best known for his discovery of bacteriophages, viruses that infect and replicate within bacteria. His work laid the foundation for the field of virology and contributed significantly to our understanding of bacterial infections and their treatment.

Early life and education

Frederick Twort was born in Camberley, Surrey, England. He was the eldest son of Dr. William Twort, a general practitioner, and his wife, Mary Ann. Twort developed an early interest in science and medicine, which led him to pursue studies at St Thomas's Hospital Medical School in London.

Career

After completing his medical training, Twort worked at the Brown Institution, a research facility associated with the University of London. It was here that he conducted his groundbreaking research on bacteriophages. Twort's work was initially focused on the study of vaccines and bacterial cultures.

Discovery of bacteriophages

In 1915, Twort published a paper describing a phenomenon he observed while studying the micrococcus bacteria. He noted that some bacterial cultures became transparent and failed to grow, suggesting the presence of an unknown agent that could destroy bacteria. Twort hypothesized that this agent was a virus, which he called a "bacteriophage," meaning "bacteria eater."

Twort's discovery was initially met with skepticism, and his research was hampered by a lack of funding and resources. Despite these challenges, his work was later confirmed and expanded upon by Félix d'Hérelle, a French-Canadian microbiologist who independently discovered bacteriophages in 1917.

Later work and legacy

Twort continued his research in bacteriology and virology, although he faced financial difficulties and limited support. He was appointed as a professor of bacteriology at the University of London, where he continued to teach and inspire future generations of scientists.

Twort's discovery of bacteriophages has had a lasting impact on the fields of microbiology and medicine. Bacteriophages are now used in phage therapy to treat antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections, and they play a crucial role in molecular biology research.

Personal life

Twort was known for his modesty and dedication to science. He married Ethel Mary, and they had three children. Despite his significant contributions to science, Twort remained relatively unknown during his lifetime.

Death

Frederick Twort passed away on 20 March 1950 in London. His work continues to influence modern science and medicine.

Related pages

• Bacteriophage
• Virology
• Phage therapy
• Félix d'Hérelle