Life
Robbins: 1916-2003 (86 years old)
Weller: 1915-2008 (93 years old)
Enders: 1897-1985 (88 years old)
Country
United States
Year of great discovery/work
1948
Enders (a microbiologist), Weller (a virologist) and Robbins (a physician) worked together to successfully grow poliovirus in cultures of human tissue. This was the first time a virus was grown outside of the body. Tissue culture is known as in vitro growth in contrast with in vivo, which is grown in the body. This discovery was important because it allowed virologists to study isolated cultures of viruses. Their research laid the groundwork for the polio vaccine.
Did you know?
This technique is still used to make vaccines today!