One hundred years of virology: a chief's perspective

The ubiquitous nature of viruses has had its impact throughout the living world. Virus disease can be found in higher animals, birds, plants, arthropods, protozoa and bacteria. Viruses are no modern phenomenon, although it is only in the last 50 or so years that a fuller knowledge of their biological, chemical and physical properties has emerged. This short account recalls the development of human virology in particular, from the first discovery of a 'filterable virus' in 1892 to the spectacular technological breakthroughs during the 1950's and 1960's, leading to the molecular virology of today. This account was written to accompany an exhibition of artefacts displayed during the IBMS Congress in Birmingham in September 2001.