produced only enough penicillin to treat ten patients.
But larger supplies were needed for the war effort.
A world-wide search was made for the best source.
Fermentation of corn steep liquor
and a moldy cantaloupe found in Peoria
helped the U.S. produce millions of doses in time
for the invasion of Normandy in the spring of 1944.
Painter’s brush
Chains of Penicillium’s conidia resemble a
broom.
A new broom sweeps corners clean.
A painter sweeps his brush across the canvas
to represent our dirty world.
He paints a portrait of a scientist;
he paints an allegory of accidental discovery.
An old broom sits in the corner of the view,
symbolizing our struggle to live in the natural world.
Fungi, including mushrooms and yeasts used in making bread
and beer, are more closely related to animals than to plants. From
various fungi, we derive antibiotics, antifungal agents,
anti-cholesterol statins, immunosuppressants, alkaloids for the
treatment of migranes, and hallucigens. Penicillium is a genus of
fungi named after the Latin for “painter’s
brush.”
Fungi, including mushrooms and yeasts used in making bread and beer, are more closely related to animals than to plants. From various fungi, we derive antibiotics, antifungal agents, anti-cholesterol statins, immunosuppressants, alkaloids for the treatment of migranes, and hallucigens. Penicillium is a genus of fungi named after the Latin for “painter’s brush.”
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