Sir Alexander Fleming is a British bacteriologist. The Nobel laureate and discoverer of the antibacterial enzyme lysozyme produced by the human body was the first to isolate penicillin from molds, which became the first antibiotic.
The path of failure and disappointment traversed by a scientist is familiar to every researcher. However, it was not only accidents that determined Fleming's fate and led him to discoveries that overturned principles that previously existed in medicine. The scientist owes his contribution to the development of science to hard work and the ability to analyze.
Study time
The biography of the future scientist began at the Lochfield farm, near the English town of Darwell, in 1881. In a large family, the boy was born on August 6. The charming kid left without a father early went to school from five. The eight-year-old student was assigned to further study at Darwell.
At the family council, it was decided that Alec should receive a decent education. After school at Kilmarnock, Fleming entered the Metropolitan Polytechnic. Thanks to his deeper knowledge than his peers, he was transferred 4 classes ahead. After completing his studies, Alec joined American Line.
In 1899 he joined the Scottish regiment and proved himself to be an excellent marksman. The elder brother, who was working as a doctor at that time, advised the younger not to waste time in vain, but to enter a medical school. In 1901 Alec did just that. Preparations for the university soon began.
Fleming was distinguished by giftedness, great seriousness and a passion for identifying the most essential in any discipline. The goals set have always been achieved both in sports and in studies. After practice, the young specialist received the right to be called a member of the Royal Surgical Corps. In 1902, Professor Wright opened a laboratory in the bacteriological department.
Fleming was invited to work there. With Wright, Alexander worked on vaccine therapy. The sick were injected with the vaccine and monitored for the production of protective bodies. Scientists collaborated in bacteriologists all over the world. the young explorer successfully passed the examinations in 1908, receiving a gold medal.
Scientific activity
With the outbreak of World War I, Wright traveled to Boulogne to set up a research center with Alexander. There, research began on the effect of antiseptics on microbes. Scientists concluded that the body itself copes best with the infection with the help of leukocytes. If there are many of them, their bactericidal abilities are endless. After mobilization in early 1919, the bacteriologist returned to London.
Almost around the clock, Alexander's table was filled with test tubes. By chance, he discovered that a section of nasal mucus remained clean in the dish covered with bacterial colonies. Tears had the same effect. The substance possessing the property of enzymes was given the name micrococcus lysodeicticus or lysozyme.
After the research carried out, chicken protein was recognized as the richest in its content. Lysozyme had a bactericidal effect on pathogenic microbes. Intravenously administered protein increased the bactericidal properties of blood many times over. In September 1928, Fleming discovered mold in one of the test tubes.
Colonies of staphylococci near her dissolved, turning into clean drops. This forced the scientist to start 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 the mold stopped reproducing 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 in meat broth. It was found that the substance inhibits the growth of staphylococci, but does not destroy leukocytes. After purification of the broth from foreign elements, it was prepared for injection. Professor Reistrick received the strains from Fleming. He raised penicillium on a synthetic basis.
After the experiments in the hospital on the use of the new substance, world recognition awaited the discoverer. In 1928 Alexander was appointed professor of bacteriology at the university. Work on a new antiseptic continued. Flory and Chain joined the study in early 1939. They found an effective method for purifying 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 drug became necessary. Its commercial production was established in 1943.
From that moment on, the brooding and reserved Scotsman became sir, was awarded the title of doctor three times and received the Nobel Prize. However, most of all, the scientist was moved by the fact that he was elected an honorary citizen of Darwell, the town in which his path to science began.
Scientist family
Significant personal events took place in 1915. Alexander and nurse Sarah McEarle, owner of a private clinic in London, officially became husband and wife on December 23rd.
The sociable and cheerful wife considered her husband a real genius and supported him in everything. The young family settled in an estate near the city. The Flemings themselves put the house in order, arranged a beautiful flower garden.
They had guests constantly. In 1924, the couple had a child, a son, Robert. He subsequently chose a medical career.
After Sarah passed away, Alexander married Amalia Kotsuri.
Two years later, in 1955, on March 11, the famous scientist died.
