Hans Christian Gram
Research By Maura Calahan
Biography
Gram would remain in Berlin working as an assistant in a hospital until 1891, when he would be appointed Professor of Pharmacology at the University of Copenhagen. In 1989 he would marry Louise I.C. Lohse. Then, three years later in 1892 Gram would be promoted to the position of Chief of Internal Medicine and the Royal Frederiks Hospital. He would also maintain his own internal medical practice.
Gram was Chairman of the Pharmacopoeia Commission from 1901-1921 during which he abolished the uses of many obsolete and useless therapeutic treatment. Hans Christian Gram would retire in 1923 and return to his earlier interest in the history of medicine.
Hans Christian Gram died in Copenhagen on November 14,1938.
Brief History on Cell Staining
Walther Flemming was one of the first to explore the new dyes and identified new structures in microscopic cells.
Carl Weigert helped further the development of cell staining in the late 1800's by figuring out what stains worked on which different types of bacteria. Carl had been a great influence on his cousin Paul Ehrlich who studied cell staining extensively and discovered the different relationships between the different cells and staining methods.
Gram Staining
Hans Christian Gram's method helped the microscopic study of bacteria, it provided a means to differentiate as well as classify bacteria cells.
Gram's method was later improved upon by Carl Weigart who added another step to the staining process. Weigart dyed the Gram negative cells with saffranine.
Awards and Accomplishments
Gram also published a four-volume book on the importance of rational pharmacology in clinical science.
Gram also was the recipient of The Danneborg Commander's Cross, the Golden Metal of Merit, and an honorary M.D. throughout his career.
Biblography
"Hans Christian Joachim Gram." World of Biology. Gale, 2006. Biography in Context. Web. 7 Jan. 2016.
"Cell staining." World of Biology. Gale, 2006. Biography in Context. Web. 7 Jan. 2016.