He studied at the College of Aurillac, the Lycée Saint-Louis in Paris and at École Normale Supérieure.

His intention was to honor the first scientists (namely Anselme Payen, 1795–1871; and Jean-François Persoz, 1805–1868) to isolate an enzyme; "diastase", in 1833.

[1][2][3] With Pasteur, he collaborated in the study of silkworm diseases, and also took part in experiments to debunk the theory of spontaneous generation.

In 1887 he began publication of the Annales de l'Institut Pasteur, with Charles Chamberland (1851-1908), Jacques-Joseph Grancher (1843–1907), Edmond Nocard (1850–1903) and Pierre Paul Émile Roux (1853–1933) as members of the first editorial board.

Being actively involved in French politics, he was a vocal supporter of Alfred Dreyfus (1859-1935), when the latter was unjustly accused of treason.