Archives and Manuscript Collections
Records of the Laboratory (RG5)
IGOR NICHOLAS ASHESHOV RECORDS (1948-1954)
5.8 linear feet (6 boxes)
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE
Igor Nicholas Asheshov (1891-1961) was a Russian bacteriologist and
educator who specialized in research on bacterial viruses. Born in Nijzni
Novogrod, Russia on August 13, 1891, he attended Prince Tenishev's School
in Petrograd, graduated in 1916 from the Saratov Imperial University, and
did post-graduate work from 1918 to 1920 at the Central Bacteriological
Laboratory of the Armies of South Russia where he conducted research on
typhus. In 1928 the Government of British India invited him to take over
d'Herelle's research work on the cholera bacteriophage in India. In 1935
he became Research Officer for the Medical Research Council in London.
After two years in this post he immigrated to Canada to join the Faculty
of Medicine (Department of Bacteriology and Immunology) at the University
of Western Ontario as Associate Professor.
Dr. Asheshov worked at the New York Botanical Garden from 1948 to 1953
as Bacteriologist-in-Charge of research on inhibition of bacterial viruses
under the direction of William Jacob Robbins. Asheshov directed experimental
programs at the NYBG to isolate and identify bacteriophages (viruses that
infect bacteria) in the search for substances to combat influenza, poliomyelitis
(infantile paralysis), and other human diseases. In his research Asheshov
screened cultures of microscopic fungi, like Aspergillus fumigatus and
species of Streptomyces, and actinomycetes (filamentous bacteria)
to develop antibiotics for use as therapeutic agents.
A critical part of Asheshov's research was funded by grants from the
National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis to find antibiotics to inhibit
or destroy the polio virus. In this program he and his colleagues Marjorie
Anchel, Helen Flon, Elizabeth A. Hall, Frederick Kavanaugh, and Freda Strelitz
screened antibiotic chemicals grown in culture against a wide range of
bacterial viruses and developed methods for their production. He directed
tests of the antiviral Phagopedin sigma (fumagillin) and demonstrated its
activity against a variety of streptococci bacilli. The team also isolated
the antibiotics Phagolessin A58, Nybomycin, and Chrysomycin. Though these
were not the final breakthrough in the search for a cure for polio, all
were important contributions to the fields of bacteriology and antibiotic
medicine.
Concurrent with his NYBG position, Asheshov held a faculty appointment
at Columbia University as a Lecturer in Botany, teaching the course "The
Biology of Bacterial Viruses." At the cessation of funding by the National
Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, he continued his work from 1953 to
1954 under a grant from the American Cancer Society. He then joined the
Lister Institute for Preventive Medicine in London, England. He died in
London September 3, 1961. Dr. Asheshov published over 40 scientific papers
on bacteriology, seven of which relate to his research at the NYBG.
SCOPE AND CONTENT
The Igor Nicholas Asheshov collection consists of correspondence, research
and laboratory records, typescripts, photography, and progress reports
of the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, covering the years
of his association and research with the NYBG.
SERIES DESCRIPTIONS
Series 1: Correspondence
Series 2: Research Papers
Series 3: Typescripts
Series 4: Bacteriophage Group
Series 5: Antiphage Group
Series 6: National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis
Series 7: Photography
Series 1 Correspondence, 1948-1953
0.6 linear ft. Arranged alphabetically
There are 59 files of correspondence with research associates at universities,
pharmaceutical companies, government agencies, and the NYBG (Helen Flon,
Elizabeth Hall, B. O. Dodge, William Robbins, and Freda Strelitz). Correspondents
include Joshua Lederberg, Robert S. de Ropp, and Jonas Salk as well as
pharmaceutical companies such as Pfizer, Lederle Laboratories, Merck, and
Parke, Davis. Subject matter pertains to exchanges of culture strains,
discussions of the epidemiology and biochemistry of diseases, and the production
of antibiotics.
Series 2 Research Papers, 1948-1955
0.5 linear ft. Arranged alphabetically
The research papers consist of 14 files relating to antibiotic substances,
culture media, laboratory methods, and an index to bacteriological literature.
There is 1 file of research notes on the experiments of Elizabeth A. Hall
(1948-1950).
Series 3 Typescripts, 1942-1958
0.2 linear ft. Arranged alphabetically
There are 9 files, three of which are typescripts of published articles
and one of a copy of the doctoral dissertation (1942) of John Spizizen.
Series 4 Bacteriophage Group, 1949-1953
0.8 linear ft. Arranged chronologically
There are 7 files of experimental data on "Active Actinomycetes" and
"Inactive Actinomycetes." All contain a numbered series of tables of laboratory
records of bacteriophage experiments presenting information on culture
strains, media, and chronological progress.
Series 5 Antiphage Group, 1951-1956
1.9 linear ft. Arranged chronologically
There are 34 files of experiment data consisting of tables formerly
collected in loose-leaf notebooks. Some files are titled with experiment
numbers. There are three subject files dealing with various fungi.
Series 6 National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis,
1947-1951
1.8 linear ft. Arranged chronologically
There are 11 files of abstracts of bi-annual progress reports issued
by the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, Inc. to its Committee
on Virus Research & Epidemiology which comprised all NFIP participant
institutions that were grantees (indexed by grant number) engaged in polio
research. As a grantee, the NYBG (grant number CVRE #70) is listed in each
index with reference to its abstract within. Summary reports of Asheshov's
research are filed under "NYBG" and "William J. Robbins." The reports contain
information on experiments, antiphage action, antibiotic surveys, chemical
studies, and antibiotic production. There is one report on cancer research
and two files on conferences relating to Asheshov's research findings.
Series 7 Photography, undated
One file
There is one file of mounted photos relating to an article published
in the American Journal of Botany by Robert S. de Ropp of Lederle
Laboratories.
RELATED COLLECTIONS
New York Botanical Garden
RG5 William Jacob Robbins Records, 1918-1978
RG5 Marjorie Anchel Records, 1931-1978
Processed September 1999 by David Rose under a grant from
the Harriet Ford Dickenson Foundation.
For more information and a complete description contact
Susan Fraser, NYBG
Archivist
The LuEsther T. Mertz Library
The New York Botanical Garden
Bronx, NY 10458-5126
(718) 817-8879
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