Philip Levine

Philip Levine

Born	August 10, 1900
Birth place	Kovno, Russian Empire (now Kaunas, Lithuania)
Died	October 18, 1987
Place of death	New York City, United States
Nationality	American
Known for	Discovery of the Rh factor
Awards	Albert Lasker Award for Clinical Medical Research

Philip Levine (August 10, 1900 – October 18, 1987) was an American immunohematologist renowned for his pioneering work in the field of blood transfusion and the discovery of the Rh factor. His research significantly advanced the understanding of hemolytic disease of the newborn and improved the safety of blood transfusions.

Early Life and Education

Philip Levine was born in Kovno, in the Russian Empire, which is now known as Kaunas, Lithuania. He emigrated to the United States in 1920. Levine pursued his higher education at the University of Chicago, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in 1923. He continued his studies at the same institution, obtaining a Ph.D. in bacteriology in 1925.

Career and Research

Levine's career in immunohematology began at the Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research, where he worked under the mentorship of Karl Landsteiner, the discoverer of the ABO blood group system. During his time at the Rockefeller Institute, Levine focused on the study of blood groups and their clinical implications.

In 1939, Levine, along with his colleague Rufus E. Stetson, published a landmark paper describing a case of hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN) caused by an Rh incompatibility between the mother and fetus. This work laid the foundation for the discovery of the Rh factor, a major advancement in the field of transfusion medicine.

Levine's research demonstrated that the presence or absence of the Rh antigen on red blood cells could lead to serious complications in blood transfusions and pregnancy. His findings led to the development of Rh immunoglobulin, a preventive treatment for Rh-negative mothers to prevent HDN in future pregnancies.

Awards and Recognition

Philip Levine's contributions to medical science were widely recognized. In 1956, he was awarded the Albert Lasker Award for Clinical Medical Research for his work on the Rh factor and its implications in obstetrics and transfusion medicine.

Legacy

Levine's work has had a lasting impact on the field of hematology and obstetrics. The discovery of the Rh factor and the development of preventive measures for HDN have saved countless lives and continue to be a critical component of prenatal care and blood transfusion protocols.

Also see

• Karl Landsteiner
• ABO blood group system
• Hemolytic disease of the newborn
• Blood transfusion
• Rh factor