Born in Dole, France in 1822, Louis Pasteur stands as one of the most renowned microbiologists in history. He is often hailed for his groundbreaking work on the germ theory of disease and for pioneering the pasteurization method, named in his honor, to safeguard foods. Impressively, he was also the mind behind the vaccines for rabies and anthrax and played a pivotal role in the fight against cholera.
Studio portrait of Louis Pasteur, restored
At the age of 26, shortly after obtaining his doctorate from École Normale in Paris, Pasteur delved into the characteristics of crystals produced during winemaking. It was then that he stumbled upon the intriguing observation that crystals can have mirror-image configurations, a characteristic termed as chirality. This discovery laid the groundwork for the birth of stereochemistry, marking it as a revolutionary theory for its time.
In the 1800s, the spoilage of beer and wine was a significant issue in France and Italy. A prevalent scientific belief of the time was “spontaneous generation,” attributing spoilage to life spontaneously arising from non-living matter. English biologist John Turberville Needham conducted an experiment to support this theory but made critical errors like inadequate boiling and allowing air back into sealed flasks, leading to microbial growth.
In response to a contest by the French Academy of Sciences on this matter, Pasteur executed experiments using his innovative swan-necked flasks. These flasks permitted air but prevented dust and particles, which could introduce microbes, from reaching the boiled broth. When kept uncontaminated, the broth showed no growth for months, demonstrating that spoilage wasn’t due to spontaneous generation but to bacterial contamination. This laid the foundation for the modern germ theory of disease.
Swan neck bottle used by Louis Pasteur
When he was 43, Pasteur rescued the silk industry by demonstrating that a disease affecting silkworm eggs was due to microbial attacks. He then devised a technique to prevent this contamination, which was swiftly adopted by silk producers globally.
Despite being partially paralyzed from a stroke, Pasteur persisted in his research. In 1878, he identified the bacterium causing fowl cholera and discovered that older cultures lost their virulence. Chickens inoculated with these cultures became resistant to fresh bacterial strains and, though healthy, could still spread the bacteria, highlighting the concept of asymptomatic carriers. Building on this and the work of Robert Koch, Pasteur then tackled anthrax in cattle. He introduced the concept of using weakened microbes for vaccination. By the 1880s, he proved that a diluted anthrax vaccine conferred immunity, significantly reducing cattle deaths.
Louis Pasteur experimenting in his laboratory
Rabies, a deadly virus transmitted via animal bites, has near-certain fatality once symptoms arose. Pasteur found that drying the spinal cords of rabid animals produced a weakened rabies virus. Using this attenuated virus, he successfully immunized dogs against the disease. In 1885, when 9-year-old Joseph Meister was bitten by a rabid dog, his desperate mother sought Pasteur’s help. Administering a series of injections, Pasteur saved the boy’s life, introducing an effective rabies vaccine. This led to the widespread adoption of Pasteur’s rabies vaccine, significantly curtailing rabies-related deaths.
Following a grand 70th birthday celebration at the Sorbonne attended by notable scientists like British surgeon, Joseph Lister, Pasteur’s health declined further due to his paralysis. He passed away on September 28, 1895, and was initially laid to rest at Notre-Dame de Paris before being moved to the Pasteur Institute’s crypt in 1896.
Throughout his career, Pasteur tackled numerous challenges with unwavering determination. He was relentless in persuading doubters, even though his impatience and intolerance became legendary, especially when he felt the truth was on his side. His legacy lives on, continuing to inspire and safeguard countless lives.
Editors’ finds
Book: Ten Reasons We’re Wrong About the World—and Why Things Are Better Than You Think by Hans Rosling
Video: A Brief History of Alcohol
Words of wisdom
“Chance favors the prepared mind.” —Louis Pasteur
“A bottle of wine contains more philosophy than all the books in the world.” —Louis Pasteur
“Science knows no country, because knowledge belongs to humanity, and is the torch which illuminates the world.” —Louis Pasteur
“The role of the infinitely small in nature is infinitely great.” —Louis Pasteur
Bibliography
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