Over the centuries, certain medical discoveries have permanently transformed the way we treat, live, and approach health.
The invention of the vaccine by Edward Jenner at the end of the 18th century marked a major turning point in the prevention of infectious diseases, drastically reducing mortality from smallpox.
A few decades later, Louis Pasteur’s discovery of bacteria allowed scientists to understand the origins of infections and develop hygiene measures that remain fundamental today.
The arrival of penicillin, the first antibiotic discovered by Alexander Fleming in 1928, saved millions of lives and ushered in the antibiotic era.
The discovery of DNA and its double helix structure by Watson and Crick in the 1950s sparked a revolution in genetics, laying the foundation for personalized medicine.
The invention of medical imaging, including X-rays, MRI, and CT scans, enabled non-invasive diagnosis, revolutionizing the treatment of many conditions. Other breakthroughs, such as the development of insulin for diabetes, organ transplantation, cancer therapies like chemotherapy, and the advancement of gene therapies and mRNA vaccines (e.g., COVID-19 vaccines), have all reshaped modern medicine.
Finally, artificial intelligence, still emerging but rapidly expanding, promises to become the next major revolution, optimizing diagnostics, research, and personalized care.
