Robert Koch was born on 11. 12. 1843 in Clausthal (Harz). After graduating from high school, he began his studies in 1862, initially turning to mathematics. However, after only two months he discovered his interest in medicine.
During this time, anthrax raged throughout Europe and many animals died from it. Robert Koch wanted to get to the bottom of this disease. At that time, microscopic examinations had revealed small rod-shaped bodies, but their role within the disease process could not be defined. Until then, it was also not clear whether these were living organisms at all and how a possible infection pathway was supposed to work.
Certain pathogens cause certain diseases
In 1876, Robert Koch succeeded in proving that they were indeed living organisms that grew, multiplied, and produced resistant permanent forms (spores) capable of developing new anthrax bacilli under favorable conditions. Koch was thus the first to demonstrate that certain diseases are caused by very specific pathogens.
A new science was born: bacteriology. The first pathogen was discovered and could be cultivated in the laboratory. Now it was also possible to develop methods that could combat the pathogen.
In 1877, Koch perfected microscopy to improve the possibilities for examining bacterial cultures. He succeeded in making the first microscopy photographs of microorganisms.
In 1881, he published his improved method of culturing bacterial cultures. The new technique enables precise differentiation of individual strains of pathogens.
Koch – the discoverer of the tubercle bacterium.
The publication of the discovery of the tuberculosis pathogen follows on March 24, 1882. The discovery of the tubercle bacterium was a stellar moment of medical research and also the high point of Koch’s scientific career. It pointed the way to overcoming one of the most devastating epidemics. The discovery is considered the definitive proof of the existence of bacterial pathogens.
In 1891, he became director of the Institute for Infectious Diseases, which had been established for him and was later named the Robert Koch Institute. Today, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) in Berlin is a central monitoring and research institution of Germany and reports directly to the Ministry of Health.
In 1905, Robert Koch was awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine for his research and discovery of tuberculin.
The Robert Koch Institute
The main tasks of the RKI are the detection, prevention and control of diseases, especially infectious diseases. In addition, the RKI has an important role in the epidemiological and medical analysis and evaluation of diseases of high risk.
