Google is celebrating today the birthday of Japanese virologist Dr Michiaki Takahashi who is known for playing a significant role in medical science.
Dr Takahashi, who was born in Japan's Osaka in 1928, was the first to develop a vaccine against chickenpox in early 1974.
The latest Google Doodle has been illustrated by Tokyo-based artist Tatsuro Kiuchi.
Dr Takahashi's chickenpox vaccine, named "Oka", was accepted by the World Health Organization and has been widely used across the world. Dr Takahashi's vaccine is an effective measure to curb severe cases of contagious viral disease and its transmission. It has been administrated to millions of children across the world so far.
Dr Takahashi earned his medical degree from Osaka University and later got a chance to work as a researcher at the Osaka University's Research Institute for Microbial Disease in 1959. After studying measles and polioviruses, Dr Takahashi accepted a research fellowship in 1963 at Baylor College in the United States.
It was during this time that his son developed a serious bout of chickenpox, leading him to turn his expertise toward combating the highly transmissible illness.
Dr Takahashi died of cardiac arrest on 16 December 2013.
Explained: What Is 'Googleyness', How It Led To Layoffs At The Tech Giant Google Doodle Marks December's Final Half Moon With Special Interactive Game 15-Hour Shift, No Training And Verbal Abuse: Indian Techie Exposes Startup's Toxic Work Culture Is Safe Car Enough? Volvo Crash That Killed CEO, Family Sparks Big Question Pics: Rahul Gandhi's Family Lunch At Iconic Delhi Restaurant "Nothing Short Of Nightmare": Woman Misses Life Event, Slams Air India Public Sector Hydropower Company Hiring For 118 Posts, Check Details Delhi's Air Quality Turns 'Severe' Despite GRAP-4 Restrictions PM Modi Meets Yoga Practitioner, Other Influencers In Kuwait Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.