Famous Virologists - List of Famous Virologists

Virologists study the structure, classification, and evolution of viruses, and analyze how they infect host cells and cause disease. Viruses are submicroscopic parasitic particles that exploit host cells to reproduce quickly. Virology is a field of microbiology. Virologists classify the viruses either according to the host cell they infect (animal viruses, plant viruses) or the shape of the virus structure. Studying viruses is of immense significance to the field of medicine as they cause several dangerous diseases like hepatitis, AIDS, influenza and even some types of cancer. Virologists work alongside with medical professionals to determine how some viruses cause diseases and how these can be prevented or treated. Their research is instrumental in the development of vaccines and drugs. , Even though viruses are primarily known to be disease causing, some viruses are being used as gene vectors in gene therapy to treat genetic disorders. Virologists the world over are engaged in research to find more uses for viruses in the medical field. Virologists use highly sophisticated tools and techniques like electron microscopy, X-ray crystallography and NMR spectroscopy for their research. Virologists primarily work in laboratories and are required to take precautionary measures to protect them from harmful viruses during the course of their work. Browse this section to explore about the life and works of various famous virologists from all over the world.

The Most Famous Virologists

NameBirthdayNationalityBio
Max TheilerJanuary 30, 1899South AfricanMax Theiler was a South African-American virologist who developed a vaccine against yellow fever
Jonas SalkOctober 28, 1914AmericanJonas Salk was a famous American virologist and medical researcher who discovered the polio vaccine
David BaltimoreMarch 7, 1938AmericanDavid Baltimore is an American biologist who won a share of the 1975 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
John Franklin EndersFebruary 10, 1897AmericanJohn Franklin Enders, a Nobel laureate, is popularly referred to as the Father of modern vaccines
Frank Macfarlane BurnetSeptember 3, 1899AustralianSir Frank Macfarlane Burnet was an Australian virologist and immunologist, known for his contributions in human biology
Frank FennerDecember 21, 1914AustralianFrank Fenner was an Australian scientist who made remarkable contribution in the field of virology
Frederick Chapman RobbinsAugust 25, 1916AmericanFrederick Chapman Robbins was an American paediatrician and virologist who was one of the joint winners of the 1954 Nobel Prize in Physiology 1954
Howard Martin TeminDecember 10, 1934AmericanHoward Martin Temin was an American geneticist and virologist who won a share of the 1975 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.
Renato DulbeccoFebruary 22, 1914Italian, AmericanRenato Dulbecco was an Italian American virologist who won a share of the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine in 1975
Renato Dulbecco

Renato Dulbecco

Renato Dulbecco was an Italian American virologist who won a share of the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine in 1975

ItalianFebruary 22, 1914100 views

Howard Martin Temin

Howard Martin Temin was an American geneticist and virologist who won a share of the 1975 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.

AmericanDecember 10, 1934117 views

David Baltimore

David Baltimore is an American biologist who won a share of the 1975 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine

AmericanMarch 7, 1938176 views

Frederick Chapman Robbins

Frederick Chapman Robbins was an American paediatrician and virologist who was one of the joint winners of the 1954 Nobel Prize in Physiology 1954

AmericanAugust 25, 1916126 views

John Franklin Enders

John Franklin Enders, a Nobel laureate, is popularly referred to as the Father of modern vaccines

AmericanFebruary 10, 1897175 views

Max Theiler

Max Theiler was a South African-American virologist who developed a vaccine against yellow fever

Frank Macfarlane Burnet

Sir Frank Macfarlane Burnet was an Australian virologist and immunologist, known for his contributions in human biology

Frank Fenner

Frank Fenner was an Australian scientist who made remarkable contribution in the field of virology

Jonas Salk

Jonas Salk was a famous American virologist and medical researcher who discovered the polio vaccine

AmericanOctober 28, 1914211 views