Selman Waksman
Soil microbiologist who discovered streptomycin and other antibiotics.
Selman Abraham Waksman was a Russian-born American inventor, biochemist, and microbiologist whose pioneering research into the decomposition of soil-dwelling organisms led to the discovery of streptomycin and several other antibiotics. He emigrated to the United States in 1910 and became a naturalized citizen in 1916. Waksman spent four decades as a professor of biochemistry and microbiology at Rutgers University, where he not only discovered multiple antibiotics but also introduced the modern meaning of the term "antibiotics" to describe antibacterial substances derived from living organisms. The licensing of his patents generated royalties that funded a foundation for microbiological research, which in turn established the Waksman Institute of Microbiology on the Rutgers University Busch Campus in Piscataway, New Jersey. After receiving the 1952 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, Waksman and his foundation were sued by his former Ph.D. student Albert Schatz, who claimed his role in the discovery of streptomycin had been minimized. In 2005, the American Chemical Society designated Waksman’s work a National Historic Chemical Landmark, recognizing his laboratory’s isolation of more than fifteen antibiotics, including streptomycin, the first effective treatment for tuberculosis. Waksman’s early life began in the Kiev Governorate of the Russian Empire, and he immigrated to the United States shortly after receiving his diploma from the Fifth Gymnasium in Odessa. He earned a Bachelor of Science in agriculture from Rutgers College in 1915, followed by a Master of Science in 1916, and a Ph.D. in biochemistry from the University of California, Berkeley in 1918. His team at Rutgers discovered antibiotics such as actinomycin, clavacin, streptothricin, streptomycin, grisein, neomycin, fradicin, candicidin, and candidin. Streptomycin, co-discovered with Albert Schatz, was the first effective drug against gram-negative bacteria and the first antibiotic used to cure tuberculosis.
- born
- July 22 [O.S. July 8] 1888, Novaya Priluka, Kiev Governorate, Russian Empire (pr
- field
- Biochemistry, microbiology
- nationality
- Russian-born American
- known_for
- Discovery of streptomycin and other antibiotics; coining the modern sense of the
Lore & Background
Selman Abraham Waksman was a Russian-born American biochemist and microbiologist who spent most of his career at Rutgers University. He is best known for his systematic study of soil microorganisms and their ability to decompose organic matter, research that led to the discovery of multiple antibiotic compounds. Waksman is credited with introducing the modern meaning of the word "antibiotics" to describe antibacterial substances derived from other living organisms. His laboratory isolated more than fifteen antibiotics, including actinomycin, clavacin, streptothricin, streptomycin, grisein, neomycin, fradicin, candicidin, and candidin. Streptomycin, co-discovered with his graduate student Albert Schatz, was the first effective treatment for tuberculosis and the first antibiotic active against gram-negative bacteria. The discovery led to a legal dispute over credit, which was settled out of court, with Schatz receiving financial compensation and recognition as co-discoverer. Waksman used half of his patent royalties to establish the Waksman Foundation for Microbiology, which later funded the creation of the Waksman Institute of Microbiology on the Rutgers University Busch Campus in Piscataway, New Jersey. He also organized the division of Marine Bacteriology at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and served as a marine bacteriologist there. In 1952, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his work. In 2005, his laboratory's achievements were recognized as an ACS National Historic Chemical Landmark.
Reader's Guide
Selman Waksman's significance lies in his systematic study of soil microbes, which led to the discovery of multiple antibiotics, most notably streptomycin—the first effective drug against tuberculosis and gram-negative bacteria. His work introduced procedures that enabled the development of many other antibiotics, fundamentally changing the treatment of infectious diseases. Waksman's legacy includes the Waksman Institute of Microbiology and the Waksman Foundation, which continue to support microbiological research. His research also extended to marine bacteriology, examining bacteria's role in nutrient cycles and other environmental processes.
Did You Know?
- Waksman's team discovered at least nine antibiotics, including actinomycin, clavacin, streptothricin, streptomycin, grisein, neomycin, fradicin, candicidin, and candidin.
- Streptomycin was co-discovered with his Ph.D. student Albert Schatz.
- A lawsuit over credit for the discovery of streptomycin was settled out of court, with Schatz receiving financial remuneration and legal credit as co-discoverer.
- Waksman is credited with introducing the modern sense of the word 'antibiotics' to describe antibacterials derived from other living organisms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Selman Waksman?
Selman Abraham Waksman was a Russian-born American biochemist and microbiologist who devoted his career to studying how soil organisms break down organic matter. He is best remembered for turning that niche area of research into a revolution in medicine.
What is Selman Waksman most famous for?
He is celebrated for isolating streptomycin in 1943 along with several other antibacterial compounds, and for coining the modern use of the word 'antibiotics.' His work proved that common soil bacteria could produce substances lethal to disease-causing microbes.
What major award did Selman Waksman receive?
In 1952, Waksman was honored with the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his discovery of streptomycin and other antibiotic substances. The recognition cemented his place among the most influential scientists of the twentieth century.
Where and when was Selman Waksman born?
He was born on July 22, 1888 (Old Style July 8) in Novaya Priluka, a village in the Kiev Governorate of the Russian Empire, now part of Vinnytsia Oblast in Ukraine. He later emigrated to the United States, where he built his entire scientific career.
Why is Selman Waksman important to the history of biology?
By demonstrating that ordinary soil bacteria could yield compounds that kill pathogenic organisms, he fundamentally reshaped how scientists understood microbial ecology. His discoveries gave medicine its first broad-spectrum tools against bacterial infections and transformed public health for generations.
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