Sir Alexander Fleming is a British bacteriologist. The Nobel laureate and discoverer of the antibacterial enzyme lysozyme produced by the human body first isolated penicillin from molds, which became the first antibiotic.
The path of failure and frustration traveled by a scientist is familiar to every researcher. However, it was not only chance that determined Fleming’s fate and led him to discoveries that turned over the principles that previously existed in medicine. The scientist made a contribution to the development of science due to hard work and the ability to analyze.
Study time
The biography of the future scientist began on the Lochfield farm, near the English town of Darwell, in 1881. In a large family, the boy was born on August 6. Soon left without a father, a charming kid from five went to school. An eight-year-old student has been identified for further study at Darwell.
At the family council, it was decided that Alec should receive a decent education. After school, Kilmarnock Fleming entered the metropolitan Polytechnic. Thanks to deeper knowledge than his peers, he was transferred to 4 classes ahead. After completing his studies, Alec began working at American Line.
In 1899 he entered service in the Scottish regiment, proved to be a magnificent shooter. The older brother, who worked as a doctor at that time, recommended the younger one not to waste time in vain, but to enter a medical school. In 1901, Alec did just that. Soon preparations for the university began.
Fleming was distinguished by giftedness, great seriousness, and a passion for identifying the most essential in any discipline. The goals that have been set have always been achieved in sports and in school. After practice, the young specialist received the right to be called a member of the Royal Surgical Corps. Professor Wright opened a laboratory in the bacteriological department in 1902.
Fleming was invited to work in it. At Wright, Alexander dealt with vaccination issues. A vaccine was administered to the diseased and the production of protective bodies was monitored. Scientists collaborated in bacteriologists around the world. the young researcher successfully passed the exams in 1908, receiving a gold medal.
Scientific activity
With the beginning of World War I, Wright traveled to Boulogne to create a research center with Alexander. There, studies began on the effect of antiseptics on microbes. Scientists concluded that the body itself is best able to cope with the infection with the help of white blood cells. If there are many, their bactericidal abilities are unlimited. After mobilization in early 1919, the bacteriologist returned to London.
Almost around the clock at Alexander the whole table was filled with test tubes. By chance, he found that in the cup covered with bacteria colonies, the area with nasal mucus remained clean. The tears had the same effect. The substance possessing the property of enzymes was given the name micrococcus lysodeicticus or lysozyme.
After research, the richest in its content was recognized as chicken protein. Lysozyme had a bactericidal effect on pathogenic microbes. The intravenous protein many times increased the bactericidal properties of blood. In September 1928, Fleming discovered mold in one of the test tubes.
The staphylococcus colonies near her dissolved, turning into pure drops. This made the scientist begin experiments. The result was a discovery that turned medicine upside down. Mold destroyed many previously incurable diseases. If lysozyme was effective only against harmless microbes, then mold stopped the reproduction of very dangerous ones.
Only the type of mold remained unknown. After a long study of the books, Fleming discovered that the fungus is called "penicillium chrysogenum." Work began on obtaining an antiseptic, a destructive milking of bacteria and harmless to the body.
Confession
Penicillin was grown on meat broth. It was found that the substance inhibits the growth of staphylococci, but does not destroy white blood cells. After cleaning the broth from foreign elements, it was prepared for injection. From Fleming, strains were received by Professor Raistrik. He raised the penicillium on a synthetic basis.
After the experiments in the hospital on the use of a new substance, the discoverer was waiting for world recognition. In 1928, Alexander was appointed to the university as a professor of bacteriology. Work on a new antiseptic continued. Flory and Chan joined in the study in early 1939. They found an effective method for cleaning penicillin.
The decisive test was carried out on May 25, 1940. It proved the effectiveness of penicillin. With the outbreak of World War II, a new medicine became necessary. Its industrial production was established in 1943.
From that moment, a thoughtful and restrained Scot became sir, was awarded the title of doctor three times and received the Nobel Prize. However, the scientist was most moved by the fact that he was elected an honorary citizen of Darwell, the town in which his path to science began.
