PATHOGEN DETECTION
Identification of The Microscopic Killers
Pathogen Detection History
Louis Pasteur
1862
Developed the Germ Theory that states how particular diseases are caused by microorganisms, too small to see with the naked eye, infecting the body. He proved this by showing fermentation and decomposition is caused by organisms in the air. His use of carbolic acid in surgery stopped the infection of bones.
Peter Perlmann & Eva Engvall 1971
Developed the ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) at Stockholm University of Sweden that uses antibodies to detect any hormones or viruses. This technology and technique allowed for results to be done faster within hours or minutes. It is now used worldwide from detecting malaria to pregnancies.
Kary Mullis 1983
Invented PCR (polymerase chain reaction) that allowed for millions of copies of a DNA sample to be made from a small sample. He created this while he was a chemist at the Cetus Corporation, a biotechnology firm. It is used to help with detecting diseases by having a concentrated sample of DNA of bacteria and viruses. PCR is especially used in the detection of HIV and AIDS.
Jennifer Doudna
2012
Discovered CRISPR-Cas9 (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats) with Emmanuelle Charpentier at UC Berkley. This enzyme allows for gene editing by cutting specific codons. She is also a part of developing Cas13, a highly sensitive variety of Cas9 enzyme. It has the potential to be 1 million times more sensitive than ELISA for specific DNA or RNA.
