Robert Koch is called not only an outstanding researcher, but also a thunderstorm of microbes. The author of fundamental works created invaluable techniques that are important for many of his followers.
It is difficult to overestimate the contribution made by the great scientist to the development of science. The biography of the researcher fully confirms the inquisitiveness of his mind from an early age.
Study time
Heinrich Hermann Robert Koch was born on December 11 in 1843 in the Lower Saxon spa town of Clausthal-Zellerfeld. Currently, his house has become a museum, one of the main attractions of the campus. The amateur naturalist was the grandfather of the boy. He instilled in his grandson a love of infatuation.
Robert collected insects, mosses, knew how to disassemble and reassemble toys. The future genius studied without difficulty. Even before the age of five, he mastered writing and reading. In the city gymnasium, Koch became the best student. In 1862, Robert, after passing the exams, became a student at Georg-August University in Göttingen. Among his teachers were many famous scientists.
For two months, the future microbiologist was engaged in the natural sciences, then switched to medicine. Four years later, a talented student completed his education. For several years, the graduate searched in vain for a city for private practice. In 1869 he decided to stay in Rakwitz. There Robert began to work in a psychiatric hospital.
I did not have to work long. With the beginning of the Franco-Prussian war in 1870, the young doctor became a field doctor. Then he gained invaluable experience. Outbreaks of infectious diseases were constant in the war. Even in difficult times, Koch continued to research microorganisms. He was no longer interested in medical practice.
After 1872, Robert was appointed county doctor of Wolstein. Anthrax was raging in the region. The scientist began researching a dangerous disease. He was the first to discover a pathogen bacterium. The microbiologist was able to study the life cycle of the microorganism. A scientific justification was given for the danger of the burial of an infected person in the "mounds of death." The opening was announced at the University of Breslau. For the first time, it was told about new methods of microbiology research.
Proceedings of the scientist
In 1878, a paper was published on the origin of staphylococcal wound infections with a detailed description of the bacterium. In 1880, the researcher received the position of government adviser to the Imperial Department of Health. A year later, he published a work on methods for studying pathogenic organisms.
In the work, the scientist proved that it is more convenient to separate microbes with the identification of pure cultures on nutrient solid media, and not in broth, as was done previously. Starting with chopped potatoes, Koch then used gelatin, agar-agar and other samples to reach a new level of research.
The contribution to science was not limited to this. The scientist proposed a staining method for studying bacteria. Prior to this, microbes were considered colorless, with complete coincidence in density with the medium, they were invisible. Aniline dyes gave color selectively and only to microbes. A new branch of microbiology has formed.
By immersing the microscope objective in oil and using lenses with greater curvature, Robert achieved almost three times the magnification of the instrument. The Koch Triad was developed, postulates with evidence on the relationship of microorganisms and the diseases they cause.
Germany in the 1880s suffered from tuberculosis. There was little knowledge about the disease. Only fresh air and a healthy diet were recommended for those who were ill. The microbiologist began the experiments. He dyed fabrics, made crops. As a result, the scientist became the discoverer of Koch's wand. He proved that these microbes cause the disease. The opening announcement came on March 24, 1882, at a Berlin conference.
The scientist dealt with the problem of the disease until the end of his life. He discovered sterile tuberculin, which has become an excellent diagnostic tool. For his work, Robert was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1905. In 1882, information was also published on the causative agent of acute conjunctivitis. The bacterium is called the Koch-Weeks Bacillus.
