Related Experiment Videos
100 years of virology: from vitalism via molecular biology to genetic engineering
1Research Institute for Plant Protection (IPO, Wageningen University and Research Centre), PO Box 9060, 6700 GW Wageningen, The Netherlands. lbos.jzn@wxs.nl
Trends in Microbiology
|February 9, 2000
Abstract:
The identification of the causative agent of tobacco mosaic disease as a novel pathogen by the Dutch microbiologist Beijerinck is now acknowledged as being the foundation of virology as a discipline distinct from bacteriology. However, as this was contrary to the prevailing theories of the time, it took many years for virology to become firmly established as a separate discipline. The history of virology illustrates how accepted concepts in science evolve by trial and error and the need for a balanced approach when manipulating natural systems.