Shining a light on a forgotten woman in the history of science: Fanny Angelina Hesse

As part of efforts to promote diversity, equity and inclusion, the Institut Pasteur and the DEI (Department for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) are supporting an initiative to shine a light on the unknown story of Fanny Angelina Hesse (1850-1934), a woman who has been unjustly forgotten by history. Fanny Hesse was an American scientist of Dutch descent who made an essential discovery for microbiology research: the use of agar as a culture medium.

Agar, a substance derived from marine algae, has become a vital ingredient in laboratories worldwide. It is used to culture and study microorganisms. Its ability to solidify culture media while resisting high temperatures improved culture techniques.
Despite her major contribution to science, the name of Fanny Hesse is only rarely mentioned in scientific textbooks or accounts. To rectify this and bring Hesse out from the shadows, an international team of artists and scientists has set out to produce a comic entitled "The dessert that changed the world and the forgotten story of Fanny Angelina Hesse."
 

The idea behind the project is to do justice to Fanny Hesse by telling her story in a graphic novel. The aim is to publish it in June 2025, coinciding with the 175th anniversary of the birth of Fanny Hesse.
 

Find out about the project