04/01/2026
Obituary : Statement from World Society for Virology on the passing of Prof. David Baltimore
With profound grief, we inform that the world have lost a true giant of science, Prof. David Baltimor David Baltimore (1938–2025) was an American biologist, Nobel Laureate, and university leader whose discoveries fundamentally reshaped modern biology. In 1970, he co-discovered reverse transcriptase, an enzyme that overturned the central dogma of molecular biology and led to
David Baltimore (1938–2025) was an American biologist, Nobel Laureate, and university leader whose discoveries fundamentally reshaped modern biology. In 1970, he co-discovered reverse transcriptase, an enzyme that overturned the central dogma of molecular biology and led to the recognition of retroviruses such as HIV. For this groundbreaking discovery, he shared the 1975 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with Howard Temin and Renato Dulbecco.
Beyond this landmark achievement, Baltimore made pioneering contributions to virology, immunology, cancer biology, recombinant DNA technologies, and biotechnology. He proposed the influential Baltimore classification of viruses, which remains a central framework in virology. His research illuminated fundamental mechanisms of the immune system, including the regulation of antibody diversity, and advanced understanding of oncogenes and tumour biology.
Baltimore also played a major role in shaping modern science policy and bioethics. He was a co-organiser of the Asilomar Conference on Recombinant DNA, a historic meeting that set guidelines for the safe use of genetic engineering. He co-founded the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, and served as president of Rockefeller University and later as president of the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), where he fostered innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Of particular significance to the virology community, Baltimore was a founding member of the American Society for Virology (ASV) in 1981, the first scientific society dedicated exclusively to the field. This society later became the official partner of the World Society for Virology (WSV), strengthening global collaboration among virologists — a vision he strongly supported.
Widely regarded as one of the most influential scientists of the late 20th and early 21st centuries, Baltimore trained and mentored generations of researchers, many of whom became leaders in their own right. His profound scientific vision, institutional leadership, and commitment to responsible science have left a lasting legacy that continues to shape the biomedical sciences today.
With the greatest respect and gratitude,
On behalf of the WSV, we convey deep condolences to his family, his students and all virologists worldwide.
