United States
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Baruch Samuel Blumberg
New York City, United States
Archival Overview
American medical scientist who discovered the Hepatitis B virus, developed its diagnostic screening test, and invented the Hepatitis B vaccine, winning the 1976 Nobel Prize.
Biographical Record
Baruch Samuel Blumberg served in the U.S. Navy during World War II before earning his medical degree from Columbia University and a doctorate in biochemistry from Oxford. Fascinated by inherited biochemical differences, he collected blood samples from diverse indigenous populations across the globe.
In 1965, Blumberg discovered the 'Australia antigen' in an Aboriginal patient's blood, proving it was the surface antigen of Hepatitis B. He subsequently invented the vaccine against Hepatitis B, which prevented millions of chronic liver infections and became recognized as the world's first anti-cancer vaccine.
Key Life Milestones
Discovery of the Hepatitis B Virus
Identified the Australia antigen, unraveling the etiology of serum hepatitis and transforming transfusion medicine.
Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
Awarded the Nobel Prize alongside D. Carleton Gajdusek for discoveries concerning mechanisms of infectious disease.
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Final Resting Place
Perpetual MemorialPhiladelphia, United States