Willy Burgdorfer (1925-2014), Swiss-US parasitologist, at work in his laboratory. Burgdorfer is using a syringe to inoculate Ornithodoros ticks while carrying out research into relapsing fever (caused by the Borrelia bacteria). Burgdorfer and his colleagues worked on tick-borne diseases caused by pathogens such as bacteria, viruses and protozoa. Burgdorfer joined Rocky Mountain Laboratory, Hamilton, Montana, USA, in 1952 as a Research Fellow. In 1982, he discovered the causative agent of Lyme disease, which was named Borrelia burgdorferi in his honour. Photographed at the Rocky Mountain Laboratory in May 1954. |