John Enders

John Franklin Enders

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John Franklin Enders

Born	(1897-02-10)February 10, 1897
Birth place	West Hartford, Connecticut, USA
Died	September 8, 1985(1985-09-08) (aged 88)
Place of death	Waterford, Connecticut, USA
Nationality	American
Known for	Developing the measles vaccine

John Franklin Enders (February 10, 1897 – September 8, 1985) was an American biomedical scientist and Nobel laureate who is often referred to as "The Father of Modern Vaccines." He was instrumental in the development of the measles vaccine and made significant contributions to the field of virology.

Early Life and Education

John Enders was born in West Hartford, Connecticut, to a wealthy family. He attended the Roxbury Latin School and later enrolled at Yale University, where he completed his undergraduate studies in 1920. After a brief stint in real estate, Enders pursued graduate studies at Harvard University, earning a Ph.D. in Bacteriology and Immunology in 1930.

Career and Research

Enders began his academic career at Harvard University, where he initially focused on bacterial infections. However, his interest soon shifted to virology, a field that was rapidly evolving at the time. In 1946, he joined the research staff at Children's Hospital Boston, where he conducted groundbreaking work on viral diseases.

Polio Research

In the late 1940s, Enders, along with his colleagues Thomas Huckle Weller and Frederick Chapman Robbins, developed a method to grow the poliovirus in non-nervous tissue cultures. This breakthrough was pivotal in the development of the polio vaccine and earned the trio the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1954.

Measles Vaccine

Enders' most notable contribution came in the 1960s when he and his team developed the first effective measles vaccine. By attenuating the virus, they were able to create a vaccine that provided immunity without causing the disease. This vaccine has since saved millions of lives worldwide and remains a cornerstone of public health.

Legacy

John Enders' work laid the foundation for modern virology and vaccine development. His innovative techniques in cell culture have been applied to numerous other vaccines, including those for mumps and rubella. Enders' contributions have had a lasting impact on global health, significantly reducing the incidence of infectious diseases.

Personal Life

Enders was known for his modesty and dedication to science. He was married twice and had three children. Despite his many accolades, he remained focused on his research and the betterment of public health.

Also see

• Virology
• Vaccine
• Polio vaccine
• Measles vaccine
• Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine