Who isolated streptomycin?

Streptomycin was isolated by Waxman. It was discovered in 1943 by Selman Waksman and his team at Rutgers University. Their work involved screening soil microorganisms for antimicrobial activity, leading to the isolation of streptomycin from Streptomyces griseus. This groundbreaking discovery marked a major advancement in the treatment of tuberculosis, as streptomycin became the first effective antibiotic against the disease. Waksman’s research on antibiotics earned him the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1952, recognizing his contributions to medicine and microbiology. Streptomycin’s introduction revolutionized tuberculosis therapy, significantly reducing mortality rates associated with the disease. It also paved the way for the development of other antibiotics and antibiotics research, shaping the landscape of modern medicine. The discovery of streptomycin underscored the importance of natural products and microbial diversity in drug discovery, inspiring further exploration of microbial sources for novel therapeutic agents.