Isaacs, Alick, 1921-1967

Alick Isaacs was the discoverer of interferon and one of Britain's leading virologists.

From the description of Alick Isaacs laboratory notebooks, 1938-1965. (National Library of Medicine). WorldCat record id: 14325155

Alick Isaacs was educated at Glasgow University and at Australia's Walter and Eliza Hall Institute. In 1947 Dr. Isaacs began studying how the body combats various strains of influenza. He joined the World Influenza Centre in London in 1951. There, with a team of researchers - notably Jean Lindemann, Isaacs discovered interferon in 1957. Interferon is a natural defense protein released by a cell to combat a viral infection. Dr. Isaacs was named director of the World Influenza Centre in 1961.

From the guide to the Alick Isaacs Laboratory Notebooks, 1938-1965, (History of Medicine Division. National Library of Medicine)