Alexander S. Wiener

Profession: Physician

Biography: Alexander S. Wiener was an American physician who was best known for his pioneering work in the field of immunohematology. His most significant contribution was the co-discovery of the Rh factor in blood, a breakthrough that has had profound implications for medicine, especially in the areas of blood transfusion and prenatal care.

Working in collaboration with Karl Landsteiner in 1937, Wiener discovered the Rh factor, an inherited protein found on the surface of red blood cells. If a person's blood has this protein, they are Rh positive; if they don't, they are Rh negative. This discovery revolutionized the understanding of blood compatibility, making blood transfusions safer and more effective.

The discovery of the Rh factor is intrinsically linked to the study of rhesus monkeys. Wiener and Landsteiner found this blood group factor by studying antibodies produced in animals injected with red blood cells from rhesus monkeys. This research not only gave the Rh factor its name but also identified its presence in a subset of the human population, hence establishing an integral aspect of blood group classification.

Born: March 16, 1907
Birthplace: NYC, New York, USA

Generation: Greatest Generation
Chinese Zodiac: Goat/Sheep
Star Sign: Pisces

Died: November 6, 1976 (aged 69)