1845 — 1916

Illia Mechnikov

Outstanding Ukrainian scientist, one of the founders of immunology, Nobel Prize laureate in Physiology or Medicine 1908

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About the Museum

The physical Illia Mechnikov Museum in Dvurichna village, Kupiansk district, Kharkiv region was damaged during military actions. This online museum was created to preserve the memory of the outstanding scientist and his invaluable contribution to world science.

"Never grow old in spirit, and you will remain young forever"
— Illia Mechnikov

Key Facts

Birth

May 15, 1845, Ivanivka village, Kupiansk district, Kharkiv region

Nobel Prize

1908 — Prize in Physiology or Medicine "for their work on immunity" (shared with Paul Ehrlich)

Main Discovery

Phagocytosis — the process by which cells engulf foreign particles, the basis of cellular immunity

Legacy

Founder of immunology, gerontology, comparative embryology. His ideas were decades ahead of their time