About The Institut Pasteur
The Institut Pasteur is a world-renowned biomedical research center dedicated to improving global health. Founded in 1887 by Louis Pasteur, whose groundbreaking work in microbiology revolutionised medicine, the Institut Pasteur remains at the forefront of scientific innovation.
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As a non-profit foundation with recognised charitable status, the Institut Pasteur is committed to advancing research, education, public health, and the development of innovative therapies and vaccines. Its legacy includes the discovery of life-saving vaccines, transformative contributions to immunology and genetics, and ten Nobel Prizes awarded to its scientists.​
The Institut Pasteur operates at the nexus of basic research and real-world application, with a focus on addressing humanity’s most pressing health challenges. From combating emerging infectious diseases to developing cutting-edge therapies for antimicrobial resistance and chronic illnesses, its work has a profound impact on millions of lives worldwide.
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About Pasteur Foundation UK
Pasteur Foundation – UK was founded in 2023, following over a century of cooperation between Pasteurian and British researchers.
The UK remains the Institut Pasteur’s second largest scientific partner. Since 2016, scientists at the Institut Pasteur have collaborated with over 90 British Institutions on nearly 60 different interdisciplinary research projects, covering a wide range of topics.
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The creation of Pasteur Foundation UK seeks to formalise existing partnerships with the UK through supporting early-career researcher mobility between the UK and Institut Pasteur, major research partnerships between the Institut Pasteur and leading UK based research institutions and exploration of new collaborations between the Institut Pasteur and the UK to encourage great minds to come together to exchange ideas for the betterment of global public health.
Louis Pasteur: The Visionary Behind Modern Science
Louis Pasteur (1822–1895) was a pioneering scientist whose work laid the foundation for modern microbiology, immunology, and public health. His discoveries revolutionized our understanding of infectious diseases, saving countless lives and shaping the way science addresses global health challenges to this day. His legacy inspires the work of the Pasteur Foundation UK and the Institut Pasteur, ensuring that his vision continues to drive scientific progress.
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Born in Dole, France, in 1822, Louis Pasteur showed an early aptitude for chemistry and physics, which he pursued at the École Normale Supérieure in Paris. His groundbreaking research touched on diverse fields, but his focus remained steadfast: harnessing the power of science to improve human life.
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​This belief fueled his relentless pursuit of knowledge and solutions to the world’s pressing problems.
Key Achievements
GERM THEORY OF DISEASE
Pasteur’s revolutionary research proved that microorganisms cause disease, a discovery that upended centuries of medical thinking and paved the way for modern germ theory.
PASTEURISATION
In the 1860s, he developed the process of pasteurization, which prevents spoilage in milk and other beverages by eliminating harmful bacteria. This innovation not only improved food safety but also boosted global agricultural and economic productivity.
VACCINATION
Pasteur’s most celebrated achievements include the development of vaccines for rabies and anthrax. His work laid the foundation for immunology and continues to save lives through widespread vaccination programs.
FERMENTATION AND INDUSTRY
Pasteur’s studies of fermentation provided critical insights into the role of microbes in industrial processes, benefiting industries like wine, beer, and silkworm cultivation.
The Founding of Institut Pasteur
In 1887, Louis Pasteur established the Institut Pasteur in Paris with the mission of advancing biomedical research and training future scientists. To this day, the Institute honors his legacy by conducting cutting-edge research and responding to global health crises.
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The Institut Pasteur and its global network of research centers have achieved groundbreaking discoveries, from identifying the HIV virus to sequencing bacterial genomes, perpetuating Pasteur’s commitment to advancing science in service of humanity
A Legacy That Lives On
Louis Pasteur’s life and work remain a testament to the power of science to transform lives. His relentless curiosity, innovative spirit, and dedication to public health continue to inspire scientists around the world.
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At the Pasteur Foundation UK, we honour Louis Pasteur’s vision by supporting the work of the Institut Pasteur, fostering the next generation of researchers, and promoting scientific solutions to global health challenges.
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Join us in celebrating the legacy of Louis Pasteur and supporting the future of science and innovation.
“Fortune favours the prepared mind.” – Louis Pasteur
