Waksman, Selman, discovery

First among the aminoglycosides was streptomycin, one of several antibiotics isolated from Streptomyces species by Selman Waksman—this from S. griseus in 1944. Waksman proved to be an enormously effective seeker of antibiotics in natural products. In addition to streptomycin, he discovered neomycin, another widely used antibiotic. Less important discoveries include actinomycin, clavacin, streptothricin, grisein, fradicin, and candidin. Waksman received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1952. 

Selman Waksman s commitment to the isolation and screening of soil bacteria in the search for bioactive small molecules, especially potential antibiotics, was validated by the discovery of streptomycin. This led to the creation of the modem biopharmaceutical industry and the subsequent isolation of tens of thousands of bioactive small molecules from soil bacteria and other environments. A proportion of these compounds have become highly successfnl therapeutics, not only for all types of infectious diseases, but also in the treatment of many other human and animal ailments and as anticancer, immnno-modnlatory, and cardiovascular agents. Waksman and Fleming could be considered the fathers of chemical biology (Figure 1.1). 

Selman A. Waksman Physiology/Medicine Discovery of streptomycin... 

All these aminoglycoside antibiotics (and many other antibiotics discovered in more recent times) owe their discovery, in no small part, to Selman Waksman s enthusiasm for soil microorganisms. He richly deserved the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine awarded to him in 1952 and at that time, it seemed perfectly reasonable for him to predict (in his autobiography) ... 

Selman Waksman changed the course of medical history while investigating how soil microbes defended themselves against invaders. He and coworkers isolated twenty-two new defensive compounds produced by soil microbes and in the process discovered streptomycin, the first antibiotic effective against tuberculosis. For his discovery of streptomycin, Waksman received the 1952 Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine. 

American biochemist Selman Waksman, recipient of the 1952 Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine for his discovery of streptomycin. 

With the discovery of antibiotics, it became possible for the first time to set up a defence against the causes of this disease. In 1943, Selman A. Waksman discovered streptomycin, an active ingredient of the mould Streptomyces griseus this shows exceptionally good artivity against the tuberculosis-causing bacteria, and its use provided the means to combat the disease. 

---