Penicillin - Info sheet

Penicillin is a groundbreaking antibiotic that has saved countless lives since its discovery. Initially referred to as "mould juice," penicillin was discovered serendipitously by Scottish bacteriologist Alexander Fleming in 1928. While examining Petri dishes that had become contaminated with a green mould known as Penicillium Notatum, Fleming noticed that this mould was effectively killing some of the bacteria he had been studying. Through further experiments, he found that penicillin was capable of killing a wide range of bacteria by inhibiting the formation of their cell walls, which is crucial for bacterial survival and replication.

Before the advent of penicillin, simple injuries such as a small scratch, a dental procedure, or a deep cut could lead to fatal infections. Fleming, who had served as a captain in the Royal Army Medical Corps during World War I, had seen the devastating effects of infected wounds on soldiers in battlefield hospitals in France. This experience deeply influenced his dedication to finding substances that could combat bacterial infections. Penicillin's discovery marked a pivotal moment in medical history, revolutionising the treatment of infections and leading to the development of other antibiotics. It's part of a series of significant medical breakthroughs, alongside vaccinations and organ transplantation, that have profoundly impacted human health.