Paul Ehrlich

Medicine German 1854 – 1915 392 quotes

Father of chemotherapy and immunology

Quotes by Paul Ehrlich

The cell is not a simple bag of enzymes, but a highly organized chemical factory.

General concept, often attributed

The development of Salvarsan was a triumph of systematic chemical research.

On the Development of a Specific Chemotherapy for Syphilis 1910

We must systematically search for compounds that selectively attack pathogens.

General approach to chemotherapy

The concept of receptors is central to understanding drug action.

Implied by side-chain theory

The cell surface plays a crucial role in mediating interactions with external substances.

Implied by side-chain theory

The specificity of staining reactions is due to the chemical affinity of the dyes for certain cellular components.

Work on histological staining

The organism's defense mechanisms are based on specific chemical interactions.

General concept of immunology

The future of medicine depends on understanding the chemical basis of disease.

Vision for medicine

The goal is to find substances that are 'parasitotropic' but not 'organotropic'.

Concept of selective toxicity

The side-chain theory provides a chemical explanation for the phenomena of immunity.

Die Seitenkettentheorie 1897

The cell is not a passive recipient, but an active participant in immune responses.

Implied by side-chain theory

The development of specific therapies requires a deep understanding of the chemical nature of both host and pathogen.

General principle of chemotherapy

The 'magic bullet' is a metaphor for a drug that acts with absolute specificity.

Explanation of the 'magic bullet' concept

The organism's response to infection is a complex interplay of chemical reactions.

General concept of immunology

The search for new drugs is a systematic process of chemical modification and biological testing.

Methodology of drug discovery

The concept of receptors is fundamental to understanding how drugs interact with cells.

Implied by side-chain theory

The cell's ability to bind and neutralize toxins is due to its specific chemical structures.

Implied by side-chain theory

The development of Salvarsan marked a new era in the treatment of infectious diseases.

On the Development of a Specific Chemotherapy for Syphilis 1910

The goal of chemotherapy is to achieve a 'therapia sterilisans magna'.

Concept of complete sterilization

The specificity of immune reactions is a testament to the intricate chemical organization of living systems.

General reflection on immunology