Life
1914 – 2012 (97 years old)
Country
Italy & United States
Year of great discovery/work
1940s & 1950s
The medium Dulbecco created supported cell growth, so that the cells would be healthy and could subsequently be infected with viruses such as polio and hepatitis. To this day a medium known as Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle’s Medium is available commercially. Later in his career, Dulbecco focused on the connection between viruses and cancer. His studies showed that some viruses insert their genetic material into cells causing them to reproduce uncontrollably and cause cancer. For this discovery, he shared a Nobel Prize in 1975.
Did you know?
Dulbecco joined the resistance movement against the German occupation of Italy during WWII.
Dulbecco joined the resistance movement against the German occupation of Italy during WWII.