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<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{short description|British bacteriologist}}<br />
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}<br />
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[[File:Twort.jpg|Frederick Twort|thumb|right]]<br />
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'''Frederick William Twort''' (22 October 1877 – 20 March 1950) was a pioneering British [[bacteriologist]] who is best known for his discovery of [[bacteriophages]], viruses that infect and replicate within [[bacteria]]. His work laid the foundation for the field of [[virology]] and contributed significantly to our understanding of bacterial infections and their treatment.<br />
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==Early life and education==<br />
Frederick Twort was born in [[Camberley]], [[Surrey]], [[England]]. He was the eldest son of Dr. William Twort, a general practitioner, and his wife, Mary Ann. Twort developed an early interest in [[science]] and [[medicine]], which led him to pursue studies at [[St Thomas's Hospital Medical School]] in [[London]].<br />
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==Career==<br />
After completing his medical training, Twort worked at the [[Brown Institution]], a research facility associated with the [[University of London]]. It was here that he conducted his groundbreaking research on bacteriophages. Twort's work was initially focused on the study of [[vaccines]] and [[bacterial cultures]].<br />
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===Discovery of bacteriophages===<br />
In 1915, Twort published a paper describing a phenomenon he observed while studying the [[micrococcus]] bacteria. He noted that some bacterial cultures became transparent and failed to grow, suggesting the presence of an unknown agent that could destroy bacteria. Twort hypothesized that this agent was a virus, which he called a "bacteriophage," meaning "bacteria eater."<br />
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Twort's discovery was initially met with skepticism, and his research was hampered by a lack of funding and resources. Despite these challenges, his work was later confirmed and expanded upon by [[Félix d'Hérelle]], a French-Canadian microbiologist who independently discovered bacteriophages in 1917.<br />
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==Later work and legacy==<br />
Twort continued his research in bacteriology and virology, although he faced financial difficulties and limited support. He was appointed as a professor of bacteriology at the [[University of London]], where he continued to teach and inspire future generations of scientists.<br />
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Twort's discovery of bacteriophages has had a lasting impact on the fields of microbiology and medicine. Bacteriophages are now used in [[phage therapy]] to treat antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections, and they play a crucial role in [[molecular biology]] research.<br />
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==Personal life==<br />
Twort was known for his modesty and dedication to science. He married Ethel Mary, and they had three children. Despite his significant contributions to science, Twort remained relatively unknown during his lifetime.<br />
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==Death==<br />
Frederick Twort passed away on 20 March 1950 in [[London]]. His work continues to influence modern science and medicine.<br />
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==Related pages==<br />
* [[Bacteriophage]]<br />
* [[Virology]]<br />
* [[Phage therapy]]<br />
* [[Félix d'Hérelle]]<br />
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[[Category:1877 births]]<br />
[[Category:1950 deaths]]<br />
[[Category:British bacteriologists]]<br />
[[Category:People from Camberley]]<br />
[[Category:Alumni of St Thomas's Hospital Medical School]]<br />
[[Category:Academics of the University of London]]</div>Prab