Pasteur, Louis (1822-1895), French microbiologist and chemist. Born December 27, 1822 in Dole. He graduated from the Higher Normal School in Paris (1847), defended his doctoral dissertation (1848). He taught natural sciences in Dijon (1847–1848), was a professor at Strasbourg (1849–1854) and Lille (since 1854) universities. In 1857 he became dean of the faculty of natural sciences at the Higher Normal School, from 1867 - professor of chemistry at the University of Paris. In 1888 he founded and headed the Research Microbiological Institute (later the Pasteur Institute).
Pasteur made his first discovery in his student years, discovering the optical asymmetry of molecules. Separating two crystalline forms of tartaric acid from each other, he showed that they differ in their optical activity (right- and left-handed forms). These studies formed the basis of a new scientific direction - stereochemistry. Pasteur later established that optical isomerism is characteristic of many organic compounds, while natural products, unlike synthetic ones, are represented by only one of two isomeric forms.

Since 1857, Pasteur began to study the processes of fermentation. As a result of numerous experiments, he proved that fermentation is a biological process caused by the activity of microorganisms. Developing these ideas further, he argued that each type of fermentation (lactic acid, alcohol, acetic) is caused by specific microorganisms (“embryos”). Pasteur outlined his theory in an article on fermentation called lactic (Sur la fermentation appelée lactique, 1857). In 1861 he discovered microorganisms that cause butyric fermentation - anaerobic bacteria that live and develop in the absence of free oxygen. The discovery of anaerobiosis led Pasteur to the idea that for organisms that live in an oxygen-deprived environment, fermentation replaces respiration. In 1860-1861 Pasteur proposed a way to preserve food products by heat treatment (later called pasteurization).

In 1865, Pasteur began to study the nature of the silkworm disease and, as a result of many years of research, developed methods for combating this contagious disease (1880). He studied other contagious diseases of animals and humans (anthrax, rabies, night blindness, swine rubella, etc.). He proposed a method of vaccination against these and other infectious diseases using weakened cultures of the corresponding pathogens. He proposed to call the weakened cultures vaccines, and the procedure for their application - vaccination. In 1880 Pasteur established the viral nature of rabies.

Monument to Louis Pasteur. Photo: couscouschocolat

Pasteur made a number of outstanding discoveries. In a short period from 1857 to 1885, he proved that fermentation (lactic, alcoholic, acetic) is not a chemical process, but is caused by microorganisms; refuted the theory of spontaneous generation; discovered the phenomenon of anaerobiosis, i.e. the possibility of life of microorganisms in the absence of oxygen; laid the foundations for disinfection, asepsis and antisepsis; discovered a way to protect against infectious diseases through vaccination.

Many of L. Pasteur's discoveries have brought enormous practical benefits to humanity. By heating (pasteurization) diseases of beer and wine, lactic acid products caused by microorganisms were defeated; to prevent purulent complications of wounds, an antiseptic was introduced; Based on the principles of L. Pasteur, many vaccines have been developed to combat infectious diseases.

However, the significance of the works of L. Pasteur goes far beyond just these practical achievements. L. Pasteur brought microbiology and immunology to fundamentally new positions, showed the role of microorganisms in people's lives, economy, industry, infectious pathology, laid down the principles by which microbiology and immunology are developing in our time.

L. Pasteur was, moreover, an outstanding teacher and organizer of science.

L. Pasteur's work on vaccination was opened new stage in the development of microbiology, rightfully called immunological.

The principle of attenuation (weakening) of microorganisms by passage through a susceptible animal or by keeping microorganisms in adverse conditions(temperature, drying) allowed L. Pasteur to obtain vaccines against rabies, anthrax, chicken cholera; this principle is still used in the preparation of vaccines. Consequently, L. Pasteur is the founder of scientific immunology, although even before him the method of preventing smallpox by infecting people with cowpox, developed by the English physician E. Jenner, was known. However, this method has not been extended to the prevention of other diseases.

Robert Koh. The physiological period in the development of microbiology is also associated with the name of the German scientist Robert Koch, who owns the development of methods for obtaining pure cultures bacteria, staining of bacteria under microscopy, microphotography. Also known is the Koch triad formulated by R. Koch, which is still used in establishing the causative agent of the disease.



The founder of microbiology and immunology, Louis Pasteur was born in the city of Dole (commune of the department of Jura, France) on December 27, 1822. The young man received his education first at the Arbois College, and then at the Saint-Louis Lyceum in Paris. During this time, he was also a lecturer at the Sorbonne.

In 1843, Pasteur became a student of the Higher Normal School, enrolling there in the department of natural sciences. After graduating from it, he defended his doctoral dissertation in physics, and then in chemistry and with the rank of professor began to teach at best universities countries (Dijon, Strasbourg and Lille universities).

At this time, Pasteur wrote fundamental works that initiated the development of stereochemistry. Then in 1857 the scientist returned to his native educational institution, becoming deans of the Faculty of Natural Sciences.

In the same year, he began to study fermentation and discovered the biological nature of this process. As a result, Pasteur proposed a new method of preserving food products by heat treatment, called pasteurization.

The scientist conducted his further research in the field of immunology. It was he who became the creator of the first vaccine against anthrax (1881), and four years later - against rabies.

Despite the fact that the vaccinations made by the professor's scientific team worked, this still did not prevent the opponents of the scientist's activities from attacking him with reproaches of charlatanism and the spread of diseases. Under such conditions, Pasteur, whose health was undermined by a series of strokes that began as early as 1968, could no longer work. Having retired, he soon died on September 28, 1895.

- a wonderful French biologist and chemist who, through his activities, left a great contribution to the development. Fame came to Pasteur for the development of preventive vaccination techniques. The idea of ​​prevention came to Louis when he studied the theory of the development of the disease as a result of the activity of pathogenic microbes. Biography of Pasteur, tells us about the originality of this person and iron willpower. He was born in 1822 in France, in the city of Dole. AT adolescence moved to Paris, and graduated from a local college. During the years of study young man no matter how he failed to show himself, then one of the teachers spoke of the student as “mediocrity in chemistry”.

Louis over the years of his life proved to the teacher that he was wrong. He soon received his doctorate, and his research on tartaric acid made him a popular and well-known chemist. Having achieved some success, Pasteur decided not to stop, and continued research and experiments. Studying the process of fermentation, the scientist proved that it is based on the activity of microorganisms of a certain type. The presence of other microorganisms in the fermentation process can adversely affect the process. Based on this, he suggested that such microorganisms can also live in the human or animal body, which secrete unwanted products and negatively affect the entire body. Soon, Louis managed to substantiate the theory of infectious diseases, it was a new word in medicine. If the disease is caused by an infection, then it could therefore be avoided. To do this, you just need to prevent the penetration of the microbe into the human body. Louis believed that antiseptics should acquire special importance in medical practice.

As a result, the surgeon Joseph Lister began to practice antiseptic methods in his work. Also, microbes could enter the body through food and drink. Then Louis developed a method of "pasteurization", which destroyed harmful microbes in all liquids, with the exception of spoiled milk. At the end of his life, Pasteur began to seriously study the terrible disease - anthrax. As a result, he managed to develop a vaccine, which was a weakened bacillus. The vaccine has been tested on animals. The vaccine administered caused a mild form of the disease. It allowed the body to prepare for a severe form of the disease. It soon became clear to the scientific world that many life-threatening diseases could be prevented with a vaccine. Louis died in 1895 near Paris.

The scientist left behind a great legacy for mankind. We owe him the existence of vaccinations that help us teach the body to resist various diseases. Pasteur's discovery helped to increase life expectancy, his contribution to development can hardly be overestimated.

Soon New Year- a very good time to remember the merits of the great French chemist and microbiologist Louis Pasteur to mankind: firstly, he was born on December 27, and this year we celebrate the 193rd anniversary of his birth. Secondly, his contribution to the development of science can hardly be overestimated, and stories about such people and their achievements usually inspire and energize. Agree, on the eve of the New Year, this is very important.

Exposing the theory of spontaneous generation of life

In 1862, the French Academy of Sciences awarded Pasteur a prize for finally resolving the question of the spontaneous generation of life. The theory of the origin of living beings from inanimate matter has been taken for granted since the ancient world. It was believed in Ancient Egypt, Babylon, China, India, Greece. It was believed, for example, that worms are born from rotten meat, and frogs and crocodiles - from river silt.

Only in the Middle Ages, some scientists began to question this theory, proving that spontaneous generation does not occur in a boiled and sealed flask with a nutrient solution. However, adherents of the theory found a counterargument to every argument of scientists, inventing either a “life-giving” force that died when boiled, or the need for natural unheated air.

Louis Pasteur performed an ingenious experiment with a sterile nutrient medium, which he placed in a specially made flask with an S-shaped neck. Ordinary air freely entered the flask, but the microorganisms settled on the walls of the neck and did not reach the nutrient medium. Therefore, even after several days, no living microorganisms were found in the laboratory glassware. That is, despite ideal conditions, spontaneous generation did not occur. But as soon as the neck walls were rinsed with a solution, bacteria and spores began to actively develop in the flask.

This Pasteur experiment refuted the prevailing in medical science the view that diseases arise spontaneously inside the body or come from "bad" air ("miasms"). Pasteur laid the foundations of antiseptics, proving that infectious diseases are transmitted by infection - pathogens must enter a healthy body from outside.

Even before Pasteur refuted the theory of spontaneous generation of life, he investigated the processes of fermentation. He proved that it is not chemical process, as another prominent chemist, Liebig, argued, but biological, that is, the result of the reproduction of certain microorganisms. In parallel, the scientist discovered the existence of anaerobic organisms that either do not need oxygen to exist, or it is even poisonous to them.

In 1864, at the request of French wine producers, Pasteur began researching wine diseases. He found that they are caused by specific microorganisms, each disease - its own. To prevent deterioration of wine, he advised heating it to a temperature of approximately 50-60 °C. It's enough to kill harmful bacteria without affecting the quality of the product itself.

Now this method is called pasteurization and is widely used in laboratories, in the production of food and some non-food products. Currently, several types of pasteurization have been developed:
- long - 30-40 minutes at t not more than 65 ° C;
- short - ½-1 minute at t 85-90 °С;
- instantaneous - several seconds at t 98 °С;
- ultra-pasteurization - a few seconds at t above 100 °C.

Vaccination and the theory of artificial immunity

Beginning in 1876, Pasteur focused on the study of contagious diseases. He managed to isolate the causative agent of anthrax, cholera, puerperal fever, chicken cholera, swine rubella, rabies and some other infectious diseases. For treatment, he suggested using vaccinations with weakened cultures of microorganisms. This method became the basis of the theory of artificial immunity and is still used today.

The rabies vaccine was especially famous for the scientist. After the first successful experience on a human in July 1885, people from all over Europe began to come to Paris, hoping for a cure from a previously fatal disease. For example, in a group of 19 Russian peasants, 16 were cured, although as many as 12 days had passed since the moment of infection. Ilya Mechnikov, who worked with Pasteur, called the development of a rabies vaccine his “swan song.”

All over the world, Pasteur stations began to be organized, which vaccinated against rabies. In Russia, the first such station was already in operation in 1886.

Pasteur Institute of Paris

In 1889, Pasteur became head of a private institute he organized in Paris, funds for which were collected by subscription all over the world. He managed to gather the best biologists of that time at the institute and organize scientific school microbiology and immunology, from which many famous scientists came out, including 8 Nobel laureates. For example, at the Pasteur Institute from the very beginning until his death, the Laureate Nobel Prize 1908 Ilya Mechnikov, whom Pasteur personally invited to head one of the laboratories.

The fact that cheese, cream and other products important for human life are made from pasteurized milk and may not be suitable for food for a short time is known to every schoolchild today. But few people know that we owe such a discovery to the brilliant French scientist Louis Pasteur, whose biography will be considered in this article.

The process of pasteurization was invented by the French microbiologist and chemist Louis Pasteur many years ago, he was already a respected scientist during his lifetime. He discovered that microbes are responsible for the souring of alcohol, and in pasteurization bacteria are destroyed by heating. His work led him and his team to develop the anthrax and rabies vaccine. He is known for many achievements and discoveries, for example, modern medicine owes him fundamental developments in the field of maintenance and development of immunity. In the course of many years of experiments, he managed to develop vaccines against various animal diseases, and his rabies vaccinations saved the lives of many people even then.

Biography of Louis Pasteur: childhood

Louis Pasteur, the third of five children, was born on December 27, 1822 in the French town of Dole, where he lived with his parents and siblings for three years. After the family moved, he grew up and studied in the city of Arbois. In the early school years Louis Pasteur, Interesting Facts whose biography we are considering, showed at first an unexpressed talent in the field of scientific subjects, but rather artistic, because he spent a lot of time writing portraits and landscapes. He studied diligently and attended school, then was busy for a while at the college in Arbois, before moving on to the Royal College in Besançon.

Education of the future great scientist

Every year, Louis Pasteur, whose biography is discussed in this article, increased his knowledge. As a result, his academic success did not go unnoticed, which is why he soon began teaching at the Higher Normal Parisian School. He received a Bachelor of Arts (1840) and a Bachelor of Science (1842) from the Royal College of Besançon, and a Doctor of Science (1847) from the École Normale in Paris.

Pasteur spent several years studying and teaching at the Dijon Lyceum. In 1847, Louis received his doctorate in natural sciences, for which he prepared two dissertations in the chemical and physical fields. During his stay in Paris, he attended many lectures at the Sorbonne, especially sitting up for a long time in chemistry classes.

First discoveries in chemistry

While still a student, Pasteur conducted several experiments to study the crystal structure and activity of tartaric acid. In 1849, a scientist was trying to solve a problem regarding the nature of tartaric acid, a chemical found in wine fermentation deposits. He used the rotation of polarized light as a means to study crystals. When polarized light passed through the solution, the tilt angle of the light plane rotated. Pasteur noticed that another compound called tartaric acid is also found in wine fermentation products and has the same composition as tartaric acid. Most scientists assumed that the two compounds were identical. However, Pasteur noticed that tartaric acid did not rotate plane polarized light. He determined that although these two compounds have the same chemical composition, they still have different structures.

Looking at tartaric acid under a microscope, Pasteur discovered the presence of two various types tiny crystals. Although they looked almost the same, they were actually mirror image each other. He separated these two types of crystals and began to study them carefully. When polarized light passes through them, the scientist saw that both crystals rotate, but in the opposite direction. When both crystals are in a liquid, the effect of polarized light does not differ. This experiment established that studying the composition alone is not enough to understand how Chemical substance behaves. Structure and shape are also important, and this led the researcher to the field of stereochemistry.

Academic career and scientific achievements

Initially, Pasteur planned to become a science teacher, as he was greatly inspired by the knowledge and abilities of Professor Dumas, whose lectures he attended at the Sorbonne. For several months he worked as a professor of physics at the Lyceum in Dijon, then in early 1849 he was invited to the University of Strasbourg, where he was offered the position of professor of chemistry. Already from the first years of his work, Pasteur took an active part in intensive research activities, developed professionalism in himself and soon became scientific world began to enjoy a well-deserved reputation as a chemist.

The biography of Louis Pasteur (in English Louis Pasteur) specifically mentions the year 1854, when he moved to Lille, where a department of chemistry was opened just a few months ago. It was then that he became the dean of the department. At the new place of work, Louis Pasteur showed himself to be an extremely innovative teacher, he tried to teach students, focusing primarily on practice, which was greatly helped by the new laboratories. He also implemented this principle as director of scientific work at the Higher Normal School in Paris, a position he took in 1857. There he continued his pioneering work and made some rather bold experiments. He published the results of his research at that time in the journal of the Higher Normal School, the creation of which was initiated by himself. In the 1960s, he received a lucrative commission from the French government to research the silkworm, which took him several years. In 1867, Louis Pasteur was called to the Sorbonne, where he taught as a professor of chemistry for several years.

Successful chemical discoveries and the biography of Louis Pasteur

In addition to his distinguished academic career, Louis Pasteur has also made a name for himself in the field of chemical discoveries. Already in the first half of the 19th century, scientists knew about the existence of the smallest living beings in the products of wine fermentation and during the souring of food. Their exact origin, however, was not yet fully known. But Louis Pasteur, in the course of various experiments in his laboratory, found out that these organisms enter the products through the air, cause various processes there, and also cause all kinds of diseases, and they can exist there without oxygen. Pasteur called them microorganisms or microbes. Thus he proved that fermentation is not a chemical but a biological process.

The practical benefits of Pasteur's scientific discoveries

His discovery quickly spread among specialists, and also found its place in the food industry. The scientist began to look for ways to prevent the fermentation of wine, or at least slow down this process. Louis Pasteur, whose biography is known today to every scientist, found out in the course of his research that bacteria are destroyed when heated. He continued his experiments and found that by briefly heating to a temperature of 55 degrees Celsius, and then instantly cooling, it is possible to kill bacteria and at the same time get the characteristic taste of wine. So the chemist developed a new method of short heating, which today is called "pasteurization". Today it is widely used in Food Industry for preserving milk, products made from it, as well as vegetables and fruit juices.

Work in the field of medicine

In the seventies of the XIX century, Louis Pasteur, whose biography and achievements are known to every schoolchild today, devoted himself to developing a method that is known today as immunization. He first focused his research on chicken cholera, a contagious disease that is deadly to humans. Working with experimental pathogens, he found that the antibodies formed by the animals helped to withstand the disease. His research helped develop vaccines against other deadly diseases such as anthrax and rabies in the coming years.

An important breakthrough in the field of medicine came from the scientist's idea of ​​​​vaccination against rabies, which he developed in 1885 during his work with rabbits. The first patient to be saved in this way was a small boy who had been infected by the bite of a rabid dog. Since Pasteur introduced the vaccine before the disease even entered the brain, the little patient survived. Pasteur's vaccine made him famous on international level and brought him a reward of 25,000 francs.

Personal life

In 1849, Louis Pasteur, whose biography and photo are discussed in this article, met Anne Marie Laurent, the daughter of the rector of the university, in Strasbourg, and married her in the same year. In a happy marriage, five children were born, of which only two survived to adulthood. The death of his nine-year-old daughter Jeanne, who died of typhus, prompted the scientist to study later and vaccination against this terrible disease.

Sunset of the great explorer

Biography of Louis Pasteur (at French Louis Pasteur) is rich historical events and discoveries. But no one is completely immune from disease. Since 1868, the scientist was partially paralyzed due to a severe cerebral stroke, but he was able to continue his research. He celebrated his 70th birthday at the Sorbonne, where a number of prominent scientists took part, including the British surgeon Joseph Lister. During this time his condition worsened and he died on September 28, 1895. Biography of Louis Pasteur on English language and on many others today is available for study by his descendants.