Some bacteria look very like fungi. Streptomyces (pictured) were once thought to be filamentous fungi because of the smooth tendrils that protrude from each cell, and their mode of reproduction using spores (lumps seen on tendrils pictured). These wriggly cells are medically useful because they naturally produce antibiotics. In the wild, antibiotics are made by bacteria to kill off nearby bacterial species, competitors for food and space. Streptomycin (the antibiotic produced by Streptomyces) was discovered by Ukrainian microbiologist Selman Waksman – born on this day in 1888. This was the first antibiotic to cure tuberculosis, a factor that helped Waksman win a Nobel Prize in 1952. The unrelenting increase in bacterial resistance to these medicines today, means the need for effective antibiotics remains just as strong. Experts are dedicated to finding novel species, often from extreme environments, as part of the ongoing search for new antibiotic compounds.
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BPoD stands for Biomedical Picture of the Day. Managed by the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences until Jul 2023, it is now run independently by a dedicated team of scientists and writers. The website aims to engage everyone, young and old, in the wonders of biology, and its influence on medicine. The ever-growing archive of more than 4000 research images documents over a decade of progress. Explore the collection and see what you discover. Images are kindly provided for inclusion on this website through the generosity of scientists across the globe.
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