When and where was Élie Metchnikoff born?
Élie Metchnikoff entered the world on the 15th of May 1845 in a village within the Kharkov Governorate of the Russian Empire. This location now sits inside modern-day Ukraine near Kupiansk Raion.
Questions about Élie Metchnikoff
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What discovery did Élie Metchnikoff make using starfish larvae in 1882?
Élie Metchnikoff discovered phagocytosis after observing white blood cells gather around citrus thorns inserted into starfish larvae bodies. He realized that animals with blood possess cells that surround foreign objects to destroy them at sites of inflammation.
Why did Élie Metchnikoff drink cholera samples during the 1892 epidemic in France?
Élie Metchnikoff drank a sample of the disease himself to test his hypothesis that differences in intestinal microbes determined susceptibility to such diseases. People with plenty of beneficial bacteria remained healthier than those without them according to his research.
Who shared the 1908 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with Élie Metchnikoff?
Paul Ehrlich shared the 1908 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with Élie Metchnikoff for their work on immunity. The award recognized their complementary contributions to understanding how the body defends itself against disease.
How did Élie Metchnikoff die and where is his remains located today?
Élie Metchnikoff died in 1916 in Paris from heart failure. His cinerary urn now rests inside the Pasteur Institute library following cremation in Père Lachaise Cemetery as per his will.