ABSTRACT
The discovery of penicillin is described in this chapter, as a serendipitous and fortunate finding by Alexander Fleming in 1929. However, much as Fleming deserves credit for his open mind and ability to recognize the significance of his mold, the chapter also lays out the notion that the discovery of antibiotics was a “rediscovery,” as various cultures had used other types of molds to treat wounds and sores many centuries earlier. The chapter also details the significance of Fleming’s colleagues, particularly Boris Chain and Howard Florey, and their crucial role in enriching or purifying the penicillin from the mold so that it could be sufficiently concentrated for treating patients. This chapter exemplifies how good basic science carried out by smart, well-trained scientists with an open mind and imagination can unexpectedly lead to groundbreaking biomedical discoveries with enormous ramifications for patients.
