Digital Desk: On his 94th birthday, Google paid tribute to Japanese Virologist Dr Michiaki Takahashi, who invented the first vaccine to fight against chickenpox.
Takahashi’s vaccine has been given to millions of children worldwide since its discovery as an efficient way to avoid severe cases of the dangerous viral disease and its transmission.
Michiaki Takahashi was born in 1928 in Osaka, Japan, and graduated from Osaka University with a medical degree before joining the Osaka University Research Institute for Microbial Diseases in 1959. In 1963, Takahashi received a research fellowship at Baylor College in the United States after investigating measles and polioviruses. During this time, his son contracted chickenpox, prompting him to apply his knowledge to combat the highly contagious disease.
After returning to Japan in 1965, Takahashi began growing live but weakened chickenpox viruses in animal and human tissue; however, five years the vaccine was ready for its clinical trial. Dr Takahashi discovered the first vaccination against the varicella virus, which causes chickenpox, in 1974. It was then put through extensive testing with immune-compromised people and found to be incredibly successful.
Takahashi’s vaccination went on to be used in more than 80 nations. He was named director of the Microbial Disease Study Group at Osaka University in 1994, which he held until his retirement. Every year, millions of chickenpox cases are prevented because of his ideas.
Notably, today’s Doodle has been created by Tokyo-based artist Tatsuro Kiuchi.
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