William C. Campbell

William C. Campbell is an Irish-born American biologist whose research on parasitic worms helped lead to ivermectin and its use against major parasitic diseases.

Satoshi Ōmura: A Japanese microbiologist who isolated Streptomyces bacteria that produced compounds leading to ivermectin. Ōmura supplied the bacterial cultures Campbell’s Merck team screened for antiparasitic activity.
Streptomyces avermitilis: A soil bacterium that produces avermectins, the compounds from which ivermectin was developed. Ōmura isolated this species, whose compounds Campbell’s team identified as potent against parasites.
Onchocerciasis: A parasitic disease caused by Onchocerca volvulus and transmitted by blackflies, sometimes leading to blindness. Ivermectin became a central treatment for reducing the parasite burden that causes this disease.
River blindness control: Public-health efforts to reduce transmission and prevent blindness caused by onchocerciasis. Ivermectin enabled repeated treatment campaigns that greatly reduced disease burden in many regions.
University of Dublin: A historic Irish university whose constituent institutions include Trinity College Dublin. Campbell earned his undergraduate degree at Trinity College Dublin.
Merck & Co.: An American pharmaceutical company that developed and distributed ivermectin for human and veterinary use. Campbell conducted the drug-discovery research at Merck’s laboratories.
Avermectins: A family of fermentation-derived compounds with strong activity against nematodes and arthropods. Campbell’s team recognized the antiparasitic potential of these compounds in Merck’s screening studies.
Lymphatic filariasis: A mosquito-borne parasitic disease that can cause chronic swelling and disability. Ivermectin is used in combination drug programs to reduce transmission in affected regions.
Neglected tropical diseases: A group of infections concentrated among populations with limited access to health services and resources. The diseases affected by ivermectin are prominent examples of illnesses often neglected in drug research.
University of Wisconsin–Madison: A public research university in Madison, Wisconsin, known for broad scientific research programs. Campbell completed graduate study in parasitology there.

Linked from 3 pages