Waksman , Selman Abraham

Waksman , Selman Abraham
(1888–1973) Russian–American biochemist
Waksman, who was born at Priluki in Russia, emigrated to America in 1910; he graduated from Rutgers University in 1915 and obtained his American citizenship the following year. He studied for his doctorate at California University, receiving his PhD in 1918, and then returned to Rutgers, where he became professor of soil microbiology in 1930.
A new area in the science of soil microbiology was opened up with the discovery by René Dubos, in 1939, of a bacteria-killing agent in a soil microorganism. This stimulated renewed interest in Fleming's penicillin and, with the value of penicillin at last established, Waksman began a systematic search for antibiotics among microorganisms. In 1943 he isolated streptomycin from the mold Streptomyces griseus and found that it was effective in treating tuberculosis, caused by Gram-negative bacteria. This was a breakthrough as previously discovered antibiotics had proved useful only against Gram-positive bacteria. This work gained Waksman the 1953 Nobel Prize for physiology or medicine; he donated the prize money to a research foundation at Rutgers.
Waksman isolated and developed many other antibiotics, including neomycin. From 1940 until his retirement in 1958 he was professor of microbiology and chairman of the department at Rutgers; from 1949 he also held the post of director of the Rutgers Institute of Microbiology.

Scientists. . 2011.

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  • WAKSMAN, SELMAN ABRAHAM — (1888–1973), U.S. microbiologist and Nobel Prize winner. Born in Priluki, Russia, he was taken to the United States as a child. From 1925, he taught at Rutgers University, heading its Institute of Microbiology from 1949. Although Waksman s… …   Encyclopedia of Judaism

  • Waksman,Selman Abraham — Waks·man (wăksʹmən), Selman Abraham. 1888 1973. Russian born American microbiologist. He won a 1952 Nobel Prize for discovering the antibiotic streptomycin. * * * …   Universalium

  • Waksman, Selman (Abraham) — (22 jul. 1888, Priluka, Ucrania, Imperio ruso–16 ago. 1973, Hyannis, Mass., EE.UU.). Bioquímico estadounidense nacido en Ucrania. Se nacionalizó en 1916 y pasó gran parte de su carrera en la Universidad de Rutgers. Después del descubrimiento de… …   Enciclopedia Universal

  • Waksman, Selman Abraham — ▪ American biochemist born July 22, 1888, Priluka, Ukraine, Russian Empire [now Pryluky, Ukraine] died Aug. 16, 1973, Hyannis, Mass., U.S.  Ukrainian born American biochemist who was one of the world s foremost authorities on soil microbiology.… …   Universalium

  • Waksman, Selman (Abraham) — born July 22, 1888, Priluka, Ukraine, Russian Empire died Aug. 16, 1973, Hyannis, Mass., U.S. Ukrainian born U.S. biochemist. He became a U.S. citizen in 1916 and spent most of his career at Rutgers University. After the discovery of penicillin,… …   Universalium

  • Waksman, Selman Abraham — (1888–1973)    US microbiologist and Nobel laureate, 1952. Waksman was taken as a child from Russia to the United States. In 1939 he discovered a bacteria killing agent in a micro organism found in soil. He coined the term ‘antibiotic’ (against… …   Who’s Who in Jewish History after the period of the Old Testament

  • Waksman, Selman Abraham — ► (18881973) Microbiólogo estadounidense. Fue premio Nobel de Medicina y Fisiología en 1952 por sus trabajos sobre los antibióticos y el descubrimiento de la estreptomicina …   Enciclopedia Universal

  • Selman Abraham Waksman — Selman Waksman (1953) Nacimiento …   Wikipedia Español

  • Selman Abraham Waksman — Selman Waksman (1953) Selman Abraham Waksman (ukrainisch Зельман Абрахам Ваксман, wiss. Transliteration Zel man Abracham Vaksman; * 8. Julijul./ 20. Juli 1888 …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Selman Abraham Waksman — Selman Waksman Selman Waksman (1953) Salman Abraham Waksman, microbiologiste américain d origine russe ashkénaze, est né à Priluka, près de Kiev, le 22 juin 1888. Il est décédé le 16 août 1973. Son père s appelait Jacob Waksman et sa mère, Fradia …   Wikipédia en Français

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