Series: Molecular Medicine Institutions

INSTITUT PASTEUR

Maxime Schwartz, Ph.D., Director General

For more than a century, the Institut Pasteur has in Third World countries, and operates an 80-bed been at the forefront of the battle against infec- teaching hospital in Paris. tious disease. Based in Paris, it was first to isolate More than 1100 scientists work at the insti- the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) tute's research center in Paris (Fig. 1). virus in 1983. Over the years, it has been respon- sible for breakthrough discoveries that have en- abled medical science to control such virulent diseases as diphtheria, tetanus, tuberculosis, in- fluenza, yellow fever, and plague. Since 1908, eight Institut Pasteur scientists have been awarded the Nobel Prize for medicine and physiology. The Institut Pasteur was founded in 1887 by Louis Pasteur, the French scientist whose early experiments with fermentation led to pioneering research in bacteriology. A giant in science, Pas- teur discovered the principle of pasteurization. He developed techniques of vaccination to con- trol bacterial infection, as well as a successful vaccine against rabies. Louis Pasteur was committed both to basic FIG. 1. The Institut Pasteur, founded in 1987 research and its practical applications. His succes- in Paris, France sors have sustained this tradition, as reflected by the Institut Pasteur's unique history of accom- Since its founding, the Institut Pasteur has plishments. During Pasteur's lifetime, Emile brought together scientists from many different Roux and his colleagues discovered how to treat disciplines for postgraduate study. In 1994, 480 diphtheria with antitoxins; Elie Metchnikoff re- foreign visitors from 72 different countries par- ceived the Nobel Prize in 1908 for contributions ticipated in study programs at the institute. They to the scientific understanding of the immune included pharmacists and veterinarians, as well system, and Jules Bordet received it in 1919 for as medical doctors and other scientists. his discoveries on immunity. Charles Nicolle re- Established in 1900, the Institut Pasteur Hos- ceived the Nobel Prize in 1928 for unraveling the pital specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of mystery of how typhus is transmitted. infectious diseases. It was the first institution to Since World War II, Pasteur researchers have prevent transmission of infectious diseases in hos- sharply focussed on molecular biology. Their pitals by isolating patients, and, in Paris, it intro- achievements were recognized in 1965, when duced such medical interventions as the use of the the Nobel Prize was shared by Francois Jacob, tuberculosis vaccine and sulfa drugs. Patients today Jacques Monod, and Andre Lwoff for their work come from all over the world for treatment of on the regulation of gene expression. complex disorders, including parasitic diseases, Today, the Institut Pasteur is not only one of AIDS, and other immune deficiencies. the world's leading research centers, but also a Strains of bacteria and viruses from many graduate study center and an epidemiological different countries are sent for identification to reference center. The Institute maintains 24 the institute's reference center. In addition to overseas branches on five continents, most them maintaining this vital epidemiological resource,

596 Copyright C) 1995, Molecular Medicine, 1076-1551/95/$10.50/0 Molecular Medicine, Volume 1, Number 6, September 1995 596-597 Series: Molecular Medicine Institutions 597 the Institut Pasteur serves as advisor to the The Institut Pasteur is and has always been a French government and the World Health Orga- private, nonprofit organization. By drawing fi- nization (WHO). Pasteur scientists also help to nancial support from many different sources, the monitor epidemics and control outbreaks of in- institute protects its autonomy and guarantees fectious disease throughout the world. These ac- the independence of its scientists. Institute funding tivities have created a close collaboration be- includes French government subsidies (34%), con- tween the institute and the U.S. Centers for sulting fees, licensing royalties, contract revenue Disease Control (CDC). (41 %), and private contributions (25%).