Glasgow-born and Glasgow University medical graduate, Alick Isaacs works in London for the World Influenza Centre at the National Institute for Medical Research.
He and a visiting Swiss colleague, Jean Lindenmann are both interested in how cells seem to be able to fight off viruses on their own.
“In search of an interferon” Isaacs writes in his diary, first coining the term.
They show that cells infected with influenza virus quickly produce a defence protein which both destroys the virus and prevents growth of other viruses.
This leads to a number of treatments for cancer and other diseases although claims about interferon’s potential have been the subject of debate.
Isaacs dies tragically young in 1967 – in his 46th year.