Alexander Fleming
Alexander Fleming - A Famous Scottish Bacteriologist - Discoverer of penicillin
Alexander Fleming (1881 - 1955) Born in Loudoun, Ayrshire, Fleming was educated at Kilmarnock Academy. He began his working career as a shipping clerk in London, but after matriculation in 1902, he began a medical student-ship at St Mary's Hospital, London, and qualified as a physician and surgeon. Fleming joined Sir Almroth Wright's bacteriological laboratory and pioneered the use of anti-typhoid vaccines on humans. He continued his researches during a period as a medical officer in France during World War I.
Alexander Fleming carried out most of his work at Queen Mary's Hospital, London, where he was professor of bacteriology from 1924 to 1948 (and where he made his most important discoveries). As early as 1922 Alexander Fleming discovered lysozyme, the antiseptic substance contained in tears. Possibly one of the most important discoveries of the 20th century was that made by Alexander Fleming in September 1928.
Fleming had been cultivating the bacteria responsible for boils (Staphylococcus) and had left the cultures for a number of days. Upon inspection it became clear that one of the cultures had been spoilt. Alexander Fleming observed that a blue mould had developed but on closer inspection he noticed that there were patches around the mould which were clear of the bacteria culture.
Alexander Fleming concluded that the mould must have been releasing a chemical that was killing the bacteria. Fleming identified the mould as Penicillium Notatum (which is often found growing on stale bread) and later observed that it killed other bacteria but did not kill human white blood cells. Convinced that this gave a strong indication that it may be safe to use in humans Fleming set about isolating the active chemical.
Fleming's early extracts proved very unstable and both difficult and expensive to produce. However the discovery of Penicillin, the first of antibiotics, helped save many lives. Over the following decade and beyond other scientists worked on the development of antibiotics and penicillin. These scientists included E. B. Chain and Howard Florey, who shared with Fleming in 1945 the Nobel Prize for medicine.
Alexander Fleming received a knighthood in 1944 for his discoveries.
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