Which individual is credited with establishing the Germ Theory of Disease?

The Germ Theory of Disease is primarily associated with the work of Louis Pasteur and Robert Koch. While both made significant contributions, Robert Koch is credited for formalizing the germ theory through his postulates, which established a systematic method for linking specific pathogens to specific diseases. His pioneering work demonstrated the causative relationship between microorganisms and disease, which fundamentally changed the field of microbiology and paved the way for modern medical practices.

Koch's postulates provided a framework for identifying the specific germs that cause diseases and laid the groundwork for future research in bacteriology and infectious diseases. This foundational contribution to understanding the microbial basis of disease is why Robert Koch is often recognized as a key figure in the establishment of Germ Theory.