Metchnikoff, Elie

In 1908 Elie Metchnikoff was awarded the Nobel Prize for his work with the lactic acid bacteria (LAB). He reported that populations that ingested soured milk such as the Bulgarians were known for their longevity. He studied intestinal microflora and reported that LAB were beneficial to human health, making him the first scientist to report benefits of these organisms. Since then, numerous scientists have studied not only the health benefits associated with the LAB, but also the concept of microbial antagonism of the LAB toward food-borne pathogens. 

An understanding of the cellular mechanism underlying successful vaccinations did not begin until the late nineteenth century and was the outcome of both a scientific and a nationalistic rivalry between Erench and German scientists. The major proponent of a cellular theory of immunity was the Russian scientist Elie Metchnikoff. While studying the... 

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