Selman Waksman

Selman Abraham Waksman, a Jewish Ukrainian inventor, biochemist, and microbiologist, conducted research on soil organisms leading to the discovery of streptomycin and multiple antibiotics. His work at Rutgers University paved the way for the development of various antibiotics, with streptomycin being the first effective treatment for tuberculosis.

In 1907, at the age of 19, Selman attempted to pass the exams for the Matriculation Diploma but failed. Various reasons contributed to his failure, including government policies that made it difficult for Jewish students to receive official education, his parents' focus on religious education over secular education, and the lack of access to city grammar schools for proper training.

In 1909, at the age of 21, Selman Waksman passed his first set of diploma exams, marking a significant achievement in his academic journey.

On November 2, 1910, Selman Waksman arrived in Philadelphia, marking the beginning of his journey in the United States after facing challenges in Russia.

In the fall of 1911 at the age of 23, Selman Waksman started his freshman year at Rutgers University with a New Jersey State Scholarship. He completed the work for his bachelor's degree in three years, with the support of Dr. Jacob Lipman.

In June 1915, Selman Waksman received his Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in Soil Bacteriology. At the age of 27, he started working as one of Lipman’s research assistants at Rutgers, focusing on studying Actinomycetales.

In 1916, at the age of 28, Selman Waksman became a naturalized American citizen and married Deborah Mitnik, also known as Bobili, who was a talented singer and artist.

Selman Waksman earned his doctorate in biochemistry in 1918 from the University of California, Berkeley. His academic achievement marked a significant milestone in his career, leading to his impactful contributions in the fields of biochemistry and microbiology.

In 1923, Selman Waksman and his student Robert Starkey discovered that actinomycetes colonies growing in soil had the ability to kill many common soil bacteria. This discovery led to the identification of Streptomycin, an important antibiotic.

In 1924, Selman Waksman and his wife spent six months in Europe, where he assessed his career as a soil microbiologist and visited important laboratories to discuss research methods.

In 1925, Selman A. Waksman was appointed as an Associate Professor.

Selman Waksman published the book 'Enzymes' in 1926, contributing to the field of biochemistry and enzymology.

Selman Waksman authored 'Principles of Soil Microbiology' in 1927, contributing to the understanding of microorganisms in soil ecosystems.

In 1930, Selman Waksman became a full professor of soil microbiology at Rutgers University.

In 1931, he was invited to organize a division of Marine Bacteriology at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, where he also served as a marine bacteriologist until 1942.

In 1936, Selman Waksman published a work on humus, exploring its origin, chemical composition, and significance in nature.

Selman Waksman returned to researching the effectiveness of actinomycetes in killing bacteria with the help of two students.

Waksman expanded his research team to eight members after learning about Rene Dubos's discovery of a soil microorganism that produced an antibacterial substance. The team discovered four bacteria-killing chemicals, but unfortunately, they were toxic to animals.

In 1940, Selman Waksman isolated an antibiotic called actinomycin from antinomycetes, which was effective in killing bacteria but toxic when used on animals.

Selman Waksman coined the term 'antibiotic' in 1941 to describe chemical substances produced by microbes that can inhibit the growth of and destroy other microbes.

In 1942, he was elected as a Trustee at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, later becoming a Life Trustee.

In 1943, Albert Schatz and Selman Waksman co-discovered streptomycin, an antibiotic that revolutionized the treatment of tuberculosis and other bacterial infections.

Waksman contacted medical researchers at the Mayo Clinic to conduct animal tests on streptomycin. The tests showed promising results in treating tuberculosis.

In 1945, Selman Waksman and his associates published the book 'Microbial Antagonisms and Antibiotic Substances', which extensively studied the relationships of microorganisms and their role in disease treatment, focusing on the extraction of valuable antibiotics from soil microorganisms.

On May 3, 1946, Albert Schatz and Selman Waksman transferred the rights for the patent application for streptomycin to the Rutgers Endowment Foundation for one dollar. This transfer marked a significant legal step in the development of the antibiotic.

In 1948, Selman Waksman and his team discovered neomycin, another important antibiotic that has been utilized in the treatment of infections in humans, animals, and plants. Neomycin, along with streptomycin, has contributed to the advancement of medical treatments.

In 1949, the Trustees of Rutgers University voted to establish an Institute of Microbiology with Professor Waksman as its first Director. The institute was funded by royalties from streptomycin and neomycin for research and advanced teaching in microbiology.

In December 1950, a settlement was reached recognizing Schatz as a co-discoverer of streptomycin. Schatz was to receive royalties for his contribution to the discovery.

In 1951, Selman Waksman founded the Waksman Foundation for Microbiology and Waksman Institute of Microbiology at Rutgers University using royalties from the discovery of streptomycin.

Selman Waksman delivered his Nobel Lecture on December 12, 1952, titled 'Streptomycin: background, isolation, properties, and utilization.' The lecture was published in the book 'Nobel Lectures, Physiology or Medicine 1942-1962' in 1964.

Selman Waksman's book 'My Life with the Microbes' was published in 1954. In the autobiography, Waksman discusses various aspects of his life and work, including the discovery of streptomycin.

At the age of 70 in 1958, Selman Waksman retired from his laboratory work but continued lecturing and writing.

In 1960, Selman Waksman sent a letter to George Gray, sharing his version of a story related to a sick chicken and its connection to his work. This correspondence later became a topic of interest in scientific circles.

Selman Waksman passed away at the age of 85 on August 16, 1973, in Woods Hole, Massachusetts. He was survived by his wife, son, and grandchildren, and was buried in Crowell Cemetery, Woods Hole.

In 1994, on the fiftieth anniversary of streptomycin's discovery, Albert Schatz was honored with the Rutgers University Medal, the highest recognition bestowed by the university.

Selman Waksman's isolation and development of antibiotics, including streptomycin and neomycin, was recognized as a National Historic Chemical Landmark by the American Chemical Society in 2005. The discovery of streptomycin was a significant breakthrough in the treatment of tuberculosis, cholera, and typhoid fever.

The Selman Waksman Room at Rutgers University was opened in July 2007, celebrating the 90th birthday of H. Boyd Woodruff.

The School of Environmental and Biological Sciences at Rutgers University held a major symposium in 2012 to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Dr. Selman A. Waksman being awarded the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine in 1952. The symposium highlighted the significance of Waksman's discovery of streptomycin.

The FDA approved a drug for resistant tuberculosis on January 1, 2013, providing hope in the fight against the disease.