Michael Heidelberger

From WikiMD's medical encyclopedia

Michael Heidelberger 1954

Michael Heidelberger (April 29, 1888 – June 25, 1991) was an American immunologist and biochemist who is often referred to as the "father of modern immunology". He made significant contributions to the understanding of the immune system and the nature of antibodies.

Early Life and Education

Michael Heidelberger was born in New York City, New York. He attended Yale University, where he earned his B.A. in 1909 and his Ph.D. in 1911. His doctoral research was conducted under the supervision of Lafayette Mendel, a prominent biochemist.

Career and Research

Heidelberger's early work focused on the chemistry of polysaccharides and their role in the immune response. In collaboration with Oswald Avery at the Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research, he demonstrated that polysaccharides from the capsules of pneumococci could induce the production of specific antibodies.

In the 1920s, Heidelberger and his colleague Walter Jacobs developed methods to chemically modify proteins and polysaccharides, which led to the creation of the first synthetic vaccines. His work laid the foundation for the development of modern vaccines and immunotherapy.

Major Contributions

One of Heidelberger's most significant contributions was the demonstration that antibodies are proteins. This discovery was crucial in understanding the molecular biology of the immune system and paved the way for the development of monoclonal antibodies.

Heidelberger also developed quantitative methods to measure the antigen-antibody reaction, which became essential tools in immunology and clinical diagnostics. His work on the precipitin reaction provided a deeper understanding of the specificity and sensitivity of antigen-antibody interactions.

Awards and Honors

Throughout his career, Heidelberger received numerous awards and honors, including the National Medal of Science in 1967 and the Lasker-DeBakey Clinical Medical Research Award in 1953. He was also a member of the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Personal Life

Heidelberger was married to Harriet Heidelberger, and they had two children. He continued to work actively in his field until his death at the age of 103.

Legacy

Michael Heidelberger's pioneering work in immunology has had a lasting impact on the field. His discoveries have influenced the development of vaccines, therapeutic antibodies, and diagnostic tests, making him a key figure in the history of medical science.

See Also

References



External Links


Stub icon
   This article is a medical stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it!



Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Transform your life with W8MD's budget GLP-1 injections from $125.

W8mdlogo.png
W8MD weight loss doctors team

W8MD offers a medical weight loss program to lose weight in Philadelphia. Our physician-supervised medical weight loss provides:

NYC weight loss doctor appointments

Start your NYC weight loss journey today at our NYC medical weight loss and Philadelphia medical weight loss clinics.

Linkedin_Shiny_Icon Facebook_Shiny_Icon YouTube_icon_(2011-2013) Google plus


Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Let Food Be Thy Medicine
Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates

Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.

Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD