Giant Microbes - Penicillin (Penicillium chrysogenum)

Penicillium chrysogenum is a type of mold found naturally in the environment. It’s typically found in the soil, on decaying plants, and rotting fruit. This mold is related to several blue molds that are used to make delicious, stinky cheeses like blue, gorgonzola, and Roquefort cheeses!

Penicillin was discovered by Scottish microbiologist, Sir Alexander Fleming, in 1928 when he inadvertently left his bacterial cultures out on the lab bench and mold had begun to grow on it. He noticed that bacteria failed to grow where the mold grew. The discovery of penicillin is considered one of the greatest advancements in medical history! During World War II, it saved the lives of millions of wounded soldiers, and became known as the miracle drug.

Today, antibiotics are so widely used in medical treatment and food production that many bacteria have become resistant to their effects, including penicillin. These resistant microbes pose a serious threat to humans because they don’t respond to the usual treatment methods.