Medical training and Koch’s laboratory
Born in what is now Oguni, Kumamoto, Kitasato studied medicine in Kumamoto and Tokyo. After graduating in 1883, he worked in the Home Ministry’s hygiene service. From 1886 he trained in Germany with Robert Koch in research on pathogenic microorganisms.
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Tetanus and antitoxins
Kitasato obtained pure cultures of the tetanus bacillus in 1889. In 1890 he and Behring reported antitoxin research showing that substances in immunized animals’ blood could neutralize toxins and transfer protection. These experiments provided a foundation for subsequent serum therapy.
Research and medical education
With support from Yukichi Fukuzawa and others, Kitasato established a private Institute for Infectious Diseases in 1892. Following a change in its administrative oversight, he resigned and founded the Kitasato Institute in 1914. He also helped establish Keio’s medical education programme in 1917.