John Franklin Enders
John Franklin Enders (February 10, 1897 – September 8, 1985) was an American microbiologist and virologist. He is known as "The Father of Modern Vaccines" due to his pioneering work in the field of virology. Enders and his colleagues were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1954 for their work on the poliomyelitis virus, which led to the development of the polio vaccine.
Early life and education[edit | edit source]
Enders was born in West Hartford, Connecticut. He attended the Noah Webster School in Hartford, and later the St. Paul's School in Concord, New Hampshire. He completed his undergraduate studies at Yale University, where he was a member of the Scroll and Key secret society. After serving in the United States Navy during World War I, he returned to Yale to earn his Ph.D. in English literature.
Career[edit | edit source]
Despite his initial focus on literature, Enders eventually shifted his interest to science. He began his scientific career at the Harvard Medical School in the Department of Bacteriology and Immunology. He worked under the guidance of Hans Zinsser, a renowned bacteriologist and immunologist.
Enders' most significant contribution to science was his work on the poliomyelitis virus. He, along with his colleagues Thomas Huckle Weller and Frederick Chapman Robbins, developed a method for growing the virus in various types of tissue culture. This breakthrough paved the way for the development of the polio vaccine by Jonas Salk and Albert Sabin.
In addition to his work on polio, Enders also conducted important research on the measles virus. His work led to the development of a measles vaccine, which has saved millions of lives worldwide.
Legacy[edit | edit source]
Enders' work has had a profound impact on public health. His research on the polio and measles viruses has led to the development of vaccines that have saved countless lives. His contributions to the field of virology have earned him numerous awards and honors, including the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.
See also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
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