Erwin Popper

Erwin Popper

Birth date	December 9, 1879
Birth place	Vienna, Austria-Hungary
Died	September 28, 1955
Place of death	Vienna, Austria
Nationality	Austrian
Known for	Co-discovery of the Poliovirus

Erwin Popper (December 9, 1879 – September 28, 1955) was an Austrian physician and virologist known for his work in the field of infectious diseases. He is best remembered for his co-discovery of the poliovirus, the causative agent of poliomyelitis.

Early Life and Education

Erwin Popper was born in Vienna, Austria-Hungary, where he pursued his medical studies. He graduated from the University of Vienna with a degree in medicine, specializing in pediatrics and infectious diseases.

Career

Popper worked at the Children's Hospital in Vienna, where he conducted research on various infectious diseases affecting children. His most significant contribution to medical science was his collaboration with Karl Landsteiner, which led to the identification of the poliovirus in 1908.

Discovery of the Poliovirus

In 1908, Erwin Popper and Karl Landsteiner conducted groundbreaking experiments that demonstrated that poliomyelitis was caused by a virus. They were able to transmit the disease to monkeys by injecting them with a filtrate of spinal cord tissue from a child who had died of poliomyelitis. This discovery was pivotal in understanding the viral nature of the disease and laid the foundation for the development of polio vaccines.

Legacy

Erwin Popper's work significantly advanced the field of virology and contributed to the eventual eradication of poliomyelitis in many parts of the world. His research paved the way for the development of effective vaccines that have saved countless lives.

See Also

• Karl Landsteiner
• Poliomyelitis
• Virology
• Polio vaccine

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