Emil von Behring

Emil von Behring (1854–1917) was a German physiologist who developed diphtheria and tetanus antitoxins. He received the first Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1901.

Antitoxin: An antibody or antibody-containing preparation that neutralizes a toxin. Behring’s therapy used toxin-neutralizing substances in immune serum.
Shibasaburo Kitasato: A Japanese physician and bacteriologist who helped establish serum therapy and identified the tetanus bacillus. Kitasato collaborated with Behring on immunity to diphtheria and tetanus.
Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine: An annual international award recognizing discoveries in physiology or medicine. Behring was its inaugural laureate in 1901 for serum therapy, especially against diphtheria.
Diphtheria: A bacterial disease in which toxin production can damage the throat, heart, and nervous system. Diphtheria was the deadly disease for which Behring’s antitoxin offered an effective treatment.
Diphtheria antitoxin: An antibody preparation that neutralizes diphtheria toxin and can treat diphtheria. This was Behring’s best-known serum therapy and the basis of his Nobel recognition.
Serum therapy: Treatment using blood serum containing antibodies or other protective factors. Behring’s antitoxin work helped establish serum therapy as a medical practice.
Höchst: A German chemical and pharmaceutical company that became a major producer of medicines and vaccines. Commercial production at Höchst helped turn Behring’s antitoxin into a widely available treatment.
Tetanus: A disease caused by tetanus neurotoxin, which produces painful muscle spasms and rigidity. Behring’s work extended antitoxin therapy to this toxin-mediated disease.
Tetanus antitoxin: An antibody preparation that neutralizes tetanus toxin. Behring also developed serum treatment against tetanus toxin.
Robert Koch: A German physician and microbiologist who established methods for identifying disease-causing bacteria. Behring worked in Koch’s Berlin institute, where bacteriology and immunity research converged.

Linked from 7 pages