Jules Bordet

Jules Bordet (1870–1961) was a Belgian immunologist whose experiments established the roles of antibodies and complement in immunity and helped found modern immunology.

Complement system: A network of blood proteins that enhances immune defense by marking microbes, recruiting inflammation, and sometimes lysing cells. Bordet identified this heat-sensitive system as a partner to antibodies in bacterial destruction.
Institut Pasteur: A Paris biomedical research institute founded by Louis Pasteur in 1887. Bordet trained and conducted early immunological research there under Élie Metchnikoff.
Octave Gengou: A Belgian bacteriologist who collaborated with Jules Bordet on research into bacterial immunity and whooping cough. Gengou co-authored key work with Bordet, including the identification of Bordetella pertussis.
Bordet–Wassermann reaction: A complement-fixation test historically used to diagnose syphilis. Bordet’s complement research enabled the serological test developed with August von Wassermann.
Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine: An annual international award honoring major discoveries in physiology or medicine. Bordet received the 1919 prize for discoveries relating to immunity.
Antibody: A protein made by B cells that binds specific antigens and can recruit other immune defenses. Bordet showed that immune serum contains a heat-stable factor that sensitizes bacteria for complement.
Élie Metchnikoff: A Russian-born zoologist and immunologist known for discovering phagocytosis and developing cellular immunity. Metchnikoff’s laboratory mentored Bordet and supplied a framework he joined to serum immunity.
Paul Ehrlich: A German physician and scientist who developed influential theories of antibodies, toxins, and immunity. Ehrlich’s side-chain theory offered a distinct account of antibody formation alongside Bordet’s experimental approach.
Whooping cough: A contagious respiratory infection caused mainly by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. Bordet and Gengou isolated the organism responsible for this disease.
Humoral immunity: Adaptive immune protection mediated by antibodies and other factors in body fluids. Bordet’s complement and antibody experiments helped define how soluble defenses work.

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Félix d'HérelleCompared with: Bordet's interpretation opposed D'Hérelle's claim that the agent was a replicating virus.