Georges J. F. Kohler

Georges J. F. Kohler - Biologists, Timeline and Childhood

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Georges J. F. Kohler's Personal Details

Georges J

InformationDetail
BirthdayApril 17, 1946
Died onMarch 1, 1995
NationalityGerman
FamousScientists, Biologists, Immunologists
Birth PlaceMunich, Germany
GenderMale
Sun SignAries
Born inMunich, Germany
Famous asImmunologist, Biologist
Died at Age48

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Georges J. F. Kohler's photo

Who is Georges J. F. Kohler?

Georges J. F. Kohler was a German immunologist and biologist who received Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1984 for his role in the development of monoclonal antibodies. He shared the prize with Cesar Milstein, a renowned immunologist and biochemist. Kohler tasted success early on in his career. He was merely 28 when he was selected for a postdoctoral fellowship at the Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge, England. Kohler grabbed the opportunity and travelled to Cambridge in 1974. Same year, Kohler successfully invented a method of forcing immune system cells to make pure antibodies against a chosen antigen, instead of the profusion of different agents that usually greet an invading virus or bacterium. The discovery of the principle for production of monoclonal antibodies was revolutionary in the scientific world as it helped in the diagnosis of diseases and in carrying therapeutic agents to particular body tissues. Interestingly, though Kohler was the driving force behind the discovery, as he played a prominent role in conceiving and executing the experiment, he was written off by the scientific world who credited Milstein for the same. It was only in 1984 that his role in developing hybridomas was fully recognized and he was jointly awarded the Nobel Prize along with Cesar Milstein.

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Childhood & Early Life

Georges Jean Franz Köhler was born on April 17, 1946, in Munich, Germany.

Upon completing his preliminary education, he enrolled at the University of Freiburg from where he graduated in the year 1971. Immediately following his graduation, Kohler applied for a PhD degree in biology which he received in 1974.

Career

After completing his honorary doctorate degree, Kohler received a two year postdoctoral fellowship at Milstein's lab at the Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge, England.

Starting from 1974, Kohler worked under Cesar Milstein for two years. In 1974, the duo made the revolutionary discovery of monoclonal antibodies. Monoclonal antibodies started a new chapter in the history of immunology and immunogenetics, as they were pure, uniform and highly sensitive protein molecule used for diagnosing and combating various types of diseases.

Kohler realized that the body’s immune system secreted various types of antibodies, whose function was to attach themselves to antigens. However, the antibodies formed from the procedure were never pure and identical. He anticipated that if he could find a way to clone lymphocytes and later subdivide them indefinitely in culture medium, the result would be identical. He fused lymphocytes with the cells of a myeloma and later made them to reproduce indefinitely. The hybrid cells thus formed produced a single species of antibody. Thus, he successfully created a powerful general method for raising pure antibodies against any antigen of interest.

Kohler and Milstein published a paper on the discovery of monoclonal antibodies in 1975 thus proclaiming to the world the emergence of pure, uniform and highly sensitive protein molecules. The development of monoclonal antibodies revolutionized many diagnostic procedures and led to new therapeutic agents for fighting disease.

In 1976, Kohler moved to Switzerland where he continued his research in monoclonal antibodies at the Basel Institute for Immunology. In his nine years of tenure at the Basel Institute, he refined his method of producing monoclonal antibodies, though he was not interested in producing them commercially. He stepped further by identifying myelomas that allowed the production of antibody clones originating from only the spleen cell with which it was fused.

Throughout the decade of 1980s, Kohler continued investigating upon antibody diversity and began working on the development of transgenic mice as a tool to understand the mechanism that underlies self-tolerance.

In 1986, Köhler took up the position of a director at the Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology. He retained this position until his death in 1995. While at the Max Planck Institute, Kohler expanded his studies to explain the mechanisms of immunoglobulin expression, B cell development and the receptors with which they respond to the hormone interleukin. He found out that the receptors had a major role in the human response to parasitic infections. Furthermore, he also explored the effects of cytokines on immune responses through the development of various knockout mice.

Major Works

Georges J. F. Kohler is known for his discovery of the principle for production of monoclonal antibodies. Together with Cesar Milstein, he successfully invented a method of forcing immune system cells to make pure antibodies against a chosen antigen, instead of the profusion of different agents that usually greet an invading virus or bacterium. The development of monoclonal antibodies was revolutionary in the scientific world as they transformed many diagnostic procedures and led to the development of new therapeutic agents for fighting diseases.

Awards & Achievements

Georges J. F. Köhler, along with César Milstein and Niels K. Jerne, was jointly awarded with the 1984 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine "for theories concerning the specificity in development and control of the immune system and the discovery of the principle for production of monoclonal antibodies”.

Personal Life & Legacy

Georges J. F. Kohler’s married Claudia Kohler, a biologist, and the couple was blessed with three children.

Kohler died of heart failure on March 1, 1995, in Freiburg, Germany, at the age of 48.

Trivia

Though Kohler was the main driving force behind the hybridoma technique, he was overshadowed by Cesar Milstein for most of his career. It was only in 1984 that the significance of his role in discovering monoclonal antibodies was realized.

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Georges J. F. Kohler's awards

YearNameAward

Other

01984 - Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
0 1984 - Albert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research
0 1981 - Gairdner Foundation International Award

Georges J. F. Kohler biography timelines

  • // 17th Apr 1946
    Georges Jean Franz Köhler was born on April 17, 1946, in Munich, Germany.
  • // 1971 To 1974
    Upon completing his preliminary education, he enrolled at the University of Freiburg from where he graduated in the year 1971. Immediately following his graduation, Kohler applied for a PhD degree in biology which he received in 1974.
  • // 1974
    Starting from 1974, Kohler worked under Cesar Milstein for two years. In 1974, the duo made the revolutionary discovery of monoclonal antibodies. Monoclonal antibodies started a new chapter in the history of immunology and immunogenetics, as they were pure, uniform and highly sensitive protein molecule used for diagnosing and combating various types of diseases.
  • // 1975
    Kohler and Milstein published a paper on the discovery of monoclonal antibodies in 1975 thus proclaiming to the world the emergence of pure, uniform and highly sensitive protein molecules. The development of monoclonal antibodies revolutionized many diagnostic procedures and led to new therapeutic agents for fighting disease.
  • // 1976
    In 1976, Kohler moved to Switzerland where he continued his research in monoclonal antibodies at the Basel Institute for Immunology. In his nine years of tenure at the Basel Institute, he refined his method of producing monoclonal antibodies, though he was not interested in producing them commercially. He stepped further by identifying myelomas that allowed the production of antibody clones originating from only the spleen cell with which it was fused.
  • // 1984
    Georges J. F. Köhler, along with César Milstein and Niels K. Jerne, was jointly awarded with the 1984 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine "for theories concerning the specificity in development and control of the immune system and the discovery of the principle for production of monoclonal antibodies”.
  • // 1984
    Though Kohler was the main driving force behind the hybridoma technique, he was overshadowed by Cesar Milstein for most of his career. It was only in 1984 that the significance of his role in discovering monoclonal antibodies was realized.
  • // 1986 To 1995
    In 1986, Köhler took up the position of a director at the Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology. He retained this position until his death in 1995. While at the Max Planck Institute, Kohler expanded his studies to explain the mechanisms of immunoglobulin expression, B cell development and the receptors with which they respond to the hormone interleukin. He found out that the receptors had a major role in the human response to parasitic infections. Furthermore, he also explored the effects of cytokines on immune responses through the development of various knockout mice.
  • // 1st Mar 1995
    Kohler died of heart failure on March 1, 1995, in Freiburg, Germany, at the age of 48.

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Georges J. F. Kohler's FAQ

  • What is Georges J. F. Kohler birthday?

    Georges J. F. Kohler was born at 1946-04-17

  • When was Georges J. F. Kohler died?

    Georges J. F. Kohler was died at 1995-03-01

  • Which age was Georges J. F. Kohler died?

    Georges J. F. Kohler was died at age 48

  • Where is Georges J. F. Kohler's birth place?

    Georges J. F. Kohler was born in Munich, Germany

  • What is Georges J. F. Kohler nationalities?

    Georges J. F. Kohler's nationalities is German

  • What is Georges J. F. Kohler's sun sign?

    Georges J. F. Kohler is Aries

  • How famous is Georges J. F. Kohler?

    Georges J. F. Kohler is famouse as Immunologist, Biologist