Description
Book SynopsisLeeuwenhoek’s Legatees and Beijerinck’s Beneficiaries: A History of Medical Virology in The Netherlands offers a tour of the history of Dutch medical virology. Beginning with the discovery of the first virus by Martinus Beijerinck in 1898, the authors investigate the reception and redefinition of his concept in medical circles and its implications for medical practice. The relatively slow progress of these areas in the first half of the twentieth century and their explosive growth in the wake of molecular techniques are examined. The surveillance and control of virus diseases in the field of public health is treated in depth, as are tumour virus research and the important Dutch contributions to technical developments instrumental in advancing virology worldwide. Particular attention is paid to oft forgotten virus research in the former Dutch colonies in the East and West Indies and Africa.
Trade Review"The use of references from scientists, articles, journals, books, historical records, conference proceedings, seminars, workshops and many resources during the twentieth century made this book an interesting and engaging read. This book will be a valuable addition to any library and to any bioscience student who is interested in the history of microbiology, basic research, infectious diseases, epidemiology, antiviral drugs and vaccination."
- Arindam Mitra, Adamas University, India,
Microbiology Today (2021)
"This unique chronicle of Dutch medical virology is recommended literature for all. It describes scientific highlights of a discipline that allowed a dramatic reduction of morbidity and mortality in the past century."
- Ab Osterhaus and Roel Coutinho
"The discoveries of the Dutch scientists Van Leeuwenhoek and Beijerinck profoundly influenced the development of microbiology and virology. This book describes the evolution of Dutch medical virology against the context of international developments in the field of virus research."
- Harald zur Hausen
Table of ContentsAcknowledgements
Illustrations
Abbreviations
Preface
Chapter 1
Origins in the dark: Virus diseases in the Netherlands before the discovery of viruses
Chapter 2
Redefining viruses: the development and reception of the virus concept in the Netherlands
Chapter 3
On the fringes: The Dutch work on viruses, 1900-1950
Chapter 4
From cell culture to the molecular revolution: the rise of medical virology and its organization
Chapter 5
Medical virology in the Netherlands after 1950. Laboratorries and institutes.
Chapter 6
Techniques and instruments: their introduction in The Netherlands and Dutch main contributions
Chapter 7
Dutch virology in the tropics: From colonial to international virology
Chapter 8
From cancer mice in the roaring twenties to oncogenes and signalling molecules in the booming nineties
Chapter 9
Virus vaccines and immunisation programmes
Chapter 10
Conclusions
List of institutes and laboratories
References
Index of Names
Index of subjects
