Ernst Witebsky
Encyclopedia
Ernst Witebsky, also Ernest Witebsky (* 3 September 1901 in Frankfurt am Main; † 7 December 1969) was a German-American immunologist.
From 1920 to 1926 Witebsky studied medicine at the University of Frankfurt
and the University of Heidelberg
. He stayed at Heidelberg after graduating and worked with Dr. Hans Sachs
. At Heidelberg he primarily worked with brain and organ tissue, as well as blood group antigens.
Leaving Germany as a result of Nazi pressure, he joined the Medical School of the University of Buffalo in 1935.
In 1957 he co-authored a paper that first formulated "Witebsky's postulates" that determine whether a disease entity can be regarded as an autoimmune disease
. They were modified in 1993.
Witebsky received the Karl Landsteiner Award in 1959 for his work with blood antibodies.
From 1920 to 1926 Witebsky studied medicine at the University of Frankfurt
Johann Wolfgang Goethe University of Frankfurt am Main
The Goethe University Frankfurt was founded in 1914 as a Citizens' University, which means that, while it was a State university of Prussia, it had been founded and financed by the wealthy and active liberal citizenry of Frankfurt am Main, a unique feature in German university history...
and the University of Heidelberg
Ruprecht Karl University of Heidelberg
The Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg is a public research university located in Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Founded in 1386, it is the oldest university in Germany and was the third university established in the Holy Roman Empire. Heidelberg has been a coeducational institution...
. He stayed at Heidelberg after graduating and worked with Dr. Hans Sachs
Hans Sachs (serologist)
Hans Sachs , was a German serologist.-Education:Sachs studied at the universities of Freiburg, Wrocław and Berlin. In 1900, he received his doctorate from the University of Leipzig. From 1905, he taught and conducted research at the University of Frankfurt...
. At Heidelberg he primarily worked with brain and organ tissue, as well as blood group antigens.
Leaving Germany as a result of Nazi pressure, he joined the Medical School of the University of Buffalo in 1935.
Achievements
Witebsky helped develop procedures for the isolation and partial characterization of A and B blood antigens. He also began the practice of neutralization of certain antibodies in the blood of universal blood donors.In 1957 he co-authored a paper that first formulated "Witebsky's postulates" that determine whether a disease entity can be regarded as an autoimmune disease
Autoimmune disease
Autoimmune diseases arise from an overactive immune response of the body against substances and tissues normally present in the body. In other words, the body actually attacks its own cells. The immune system mistakes some part of the body as a pathogen and attacks it. This may be restricted to...
. They were modified in 1993.
Witebsky received the Karl Landsteiner Award in 1959 for his work with blood antibodies.
Further reading
- National Cyclopaedia of American Biography (1975) "Witebsky, Ernest (1901-1969)" The National Cyclopaedia of American Biography: Volume 56 James T. White & Co., New York;
- Marquis Who's Who (1973) "Witebsky, Ernest (1901-1969)" Who Was Who in America, Volume 5, 1969-1973, Marquis Who's Who, Chicago;
- Milgrom, FelixFelix MilgromFelix Milgrom was a Polish immunologist known for the development of a simple test for syphilis that could be performed on a drop of dried blood.-References:*, University of Buffalo official statement...
(June 1970) "Obituary:Ernest Witebsky" "Blood Journal 35(6): pp. 869-870;