Microbiology Timeline

Ferdinand J. Cohn helps with the discovery of bacteriology. Cohn publishes his findings, calling it Bacillus.

Robert Koch publishes his work on the disease, Anthrax, which is caused directly by a bacterium.

Joseph Lister publishes his work on how milk souring is caused. Later called the bacteria, Bacterium lactis.

Louis Pasteur creates a way to attenuate (replicates in the host cell, but does not cause diseases) a virus pathogen for protection against different types of diseases. This concept was inspired by Jenner's smallpox vaccination.

ILya ILich (Elie) Metchnikoff introduced a theory of cellular immunity where certain body cells move to attack damaged cells.

Martinus Beijerinck demonstrates that using enrichment culture creates the conditions for bacterium growth.

Paul Ehrlich theorized that antibodies were a form of immunity to toxins and diseases.

Dmitri Ivanowski publishes his findings on the virus of tabacco mosaic disease.

December 27, 1899 - December 29, 1899, a meeting among the Society of American Bacteriologists was held at Yale. The Society of American Bacteriologist devoted their time to the promotion and service of bacteriology in the United States. Later known as the American Society for Microbiology.

Walter Reed indicated that yellow fever is caused by a virus transmitted by mosquitoes. Mosquitoes eradication programs began by the Yellow Fever Commission.