Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Martinus Beijerinck was a Dutch microbiologist who is considered one of the founders of virology. He is renowned for his discovery of viruses as a new infectious agent distinct from bacteria.
5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test
Beijerinck identified the first virus, the tobacco mosaic virus, in 1898.
He coined the term 'virus' (Latin for poison) to describe these infectious agents.
Beijerinck's work demonstrated that viruses could pass through filters that trap bacteria, showing they were smaller and fundamentally different from bacteria.
His research established that viruses require living hosts to replicate, which was crucial in distinguishing them from other pathogens.
Beijerinck's methodology laid foundational principles for modern virology and molecular biology.