Ehrlich

Definition

Paul Ehrlich was a pioneering German scientist known for his contributions to immunology and chemotherapy. He is best remembered for his development of the first effective antimicrobial drug, Salvarsan, which treated syphilis.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Paul Ehrlich introduced the concept of a 'magic bullet'—a compound that could selectively target pathogens without harming the host.
2. In 1909, Ehrlich and his colleague Sahachiro Hata discovered Salvarsan, also known as arsphenamine or compound 606.
3. Ehrlich's work laid the foundation for the field of chemotherapy by demonstrating that chemical agents could be used to treat infectious diseases.
4. He won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1908 alongside Ilya Mechnikov for their work on immunity.
5. Ehrlich's methods included systematic screening of hundreds of compounds to find effective antimicrobials.

Review Questions

• What significant contribution did Paul Ehrlich make to antimicrobial therapy?
• What was the name of the first effective antimicrobial drug developed by Paul Ehrlich?
• How did Paul Ehrlich's concept of a 'magic bullet' influence modern chemotherapy?

Related terms

Salvarsan: The first effective antimicrobial drug discovered by Paul Ehrlich to treat syphilis.

Magic Bullet: A term coined by Paul Ehrlich referring to a substance that can specifically target pathogens without damaging host tissues.

Chemotherapy: The treatment of disease using chemical substances, particularly those used to treat cancer or infections.