Cesar Milstein

(1927 -)

Born in Bahia Bianca, Argentina, Milstein is an immunologist.

They are called "monoclonal antibodies," and Milstein's pioneering discovery of how to form them made him co-winner of a 1984 Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine. He had merged cells that produce natural antibodies with those of a tumor that multiplies indefinitely. The result: a new combined cell that generates a specific anti-body in quantity - to target single disease organisms invading the body, unlike the generalized attack of most antibodies. The landmark development in 1975 came from a gifted researcher whose model was Louis Pasteur. His Ph.D. was earned at England's University of Cambridge following studies at the University of Buenos Aires. Dividing his time between South America and Great Britain, Milstein today holds that country'' prestigious Companion of Honour award.

Source: Dor LeDor