Fundamentals of Microbiology

1.1.2 Other significant developments in microbiology

1796 – Edward Jenner – Vaccination – Smallpox

1873 – John Lister - obtained pure culture of bacteria by serial dilution

1881 – Paul Ehrlich - Staining of bacteria with methylene blue

1881 – 1883 – Robert Koch – Simple methods for isolation and maintenance of microorganisms on chemically defined solid medium

1884 – Hans Christian Gram – differential staining

1884 – Elie Metchnikoff – Phagocytosis – WBC engulfing foreign particles

1884 – Charle Chamberland – Invention of bacterial filters for sterilization of liquids. Invention of autoclave.

1887 – Richard Petri – Petridishes

1892 – Iwanowski – observed filterable particles responsible for tobacco mosaic disease (viruses)

1929 – Alexander Flemming – Antibiotics (Penicillium notatum)

Fifty years from 1860 to 1910 marked by the works of Pasteur on alcohol fermentation to the death of Robert Koch is termed as the Golden Age of Microbiology.