Discovery of Penicillin

Medicine & Pharmacology 1928 Featured

Discoverers: Alexander Fleming

Overview

Observation that the mould Penicillium notatum produces a substance that kills Staphylococcus bacteria, leading to the first antibiotic.

Significance

Launched the antibiotic era, saving an estimated 200 million lives and transforming surgery, wound care, and infectious disease treatment.

Methodology

Accidental observation of bacterial lysis around a contaminating Penicillium colony on an agar plate, followed by systematic testing of the mould filtrate.

Impact