Sir Frank Macfarlane Burnet

Sir Frank Macfarlane Burnet was an Australian virologist and immunologist who made significant contributions to the fields of microbiology and infectious diseases. He was the co-recipient of the 1960 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his discovery of acquired immunological tolerance, which explained how the immune system learns to distinguish between self and non-self antigens. He also developed the clonal selection theory, which proposed that each antibody-producing cell is derived from a single progenitor cell that has been selected for its affinity to a specific antigen. Burnet's research on viruses led him to isolate the causative agents of Q-fever and psittacosis, to develop methods for cultivating and detecting influenza virus, and to describe the recombination and mutation of influenza strains. He also studied the role of viruses in cancer, autoimmune diseases, and aging. Burnet was the director of the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research in Melbourne from 1944 to 1965, where he established a reputation as a leader and mentor in Australian science. He was also a professor of experimental medicine at the University of Melbourne and a founding member and president of the Australian Academy of Science. He received numerous awards and honors for his achievements, including the Royal Medal, the Copley Medal, the Lasker Award, and the Order of Merit. He was knighted in 1951 and appointed a Knight of the Order of Australia in 1978. He was also the first Australian of the Year in 1960. Burnet was known for his scientific curiosity, creativity, and rigor, as well as his humility, generosity, and public service. He was interested in a wide range of topics, including philosophy, history, ecology, and social issues. He wrote several books and articles on scientific and non-scientific subjects, such as immunology, virology, evolution, genetics, ethics, religion, and world peace. He died of cancer at the age of 85 in Port Fairy, Victoria.