Selman Waksman

Selman Waksman (1888–1973) was a Ukrainian-born American microbiologist and biochemist whose research fundamentally transformed the treatment of infectious diseases. He is best known for the discovery of streptomycin, the first effective antibiotic against tuberculosis, and for coining the term “antibiotic” to describe substances produced by microorganisms that inhibit the growth of other microbes. Waksman’s work laid the foundations of modern antibiotic research and reshaped medical practice in the twentieth century.
Emerging from a background in agricultural microbiology, Waksman demonstrated how systematic study of soil microorganisms could yield life-saving drugs. His career illustrates the profound impact of basic biological research on global public health.

Early life and education

Selman Abraham Waksman was born on 22 July 1888 in Priluka, then part of the Russian Empire and now in Ukraine. Raised in a Jewish family, he grew up in a rural environment that fostered an early interest in agriculture and natural processes. In 1910, he emigrated to the United States in search of educational and professional opportunities.
Waksman studied agriculture at Rutgers College, earning his bachelor’s degree before continuing to postgraduate study at the University of California, Berkeley. He completed his doctorate in biochemistry in 1918, focusing on soil chemistry and microbiology. This training established the scientific foundation for his later discoveries.

Early career in soil microbiology

After completing his doctorate, Waksman returned to Rutgers University, where he spent most of his academic career. His early research concentrated on soil-dwelling microorganisms, particularly actinomycetes, a group of bacteria-like organisms known for their complex metabolic activity.
At the time, soil microbiology was largely concerned with agriculture and nutrient cycles. Waksman expanded this field by investigating the biochemical products of soil microbes, hypothesising that some might possess antimicrobial properties. This insight would prove crucial in the development of antibiotic science.

Conceptualisation of antibiotics

Waksman was instrumental in defining and systematising the study of antimicrobial substances. In the early 1940s, he introduced the term “antibiotic” to describe compounds produced by microorganisms that inhibit or destroy other microorganisms at low concentrations.
This conceptual clarity helped distinguish antibiotics from synthetic antimicrobial agents and provided a framework for systematic screening and classification. Waksman’s approach emphasised methodical laboratory testing rather than chance discovery, marking a shift towards organised drug discovery programmes.

Discovery of streptomycin

Waksman’s most significant achievement was the discovery of streptomycin in 1943, in collaboration with his graduate student Albert Schatz. Streptomycin was isolated from the soil bacterium Streptomyces griseus and demonstrated powerful activity against a range of bacteria.
Crucially, streptomycin was effective against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of tuberculosis. At the time, tuberculosis was one of the leading causes of death worldwide, and existing treatments were largely ineffective. Streptomycin’s success represented a major breakthrough in medical history.

Impact on tuberculosis treatment

The introduction of streptomycin transformed the treatment of tuberculosis. Clinical trials demonstrated dramatic improvements in patient outcomes, reducing mortality and offering hope against a disease long associated with poverty and chronic illness.
Although resistance to streptomycin later emerged, its initial success paved the way for combination antibiotic therapies and stimulated further research into antitubercular drugs. The discovery marked the beginning of effective chemotherapy for tuberculosis and contributed to declining death rates in many countries.

Further antibiotic discoveries

Under Waksman’s leadership, his laboratory identified several additional antibiotics, including neomycin, actinomycin, and candicidin. While not all proved clinically useful, these discoveries expanded scientific understanding of microbial metabolism and antimicrobial activity.
Waksman’s systematic screening of soil organisms inspired similar programmes worldwide and established soil microbiology as a central source of new therapeutic agents. His work demonstrated that natural ecosystems could serve as reservoirs of medically valuable compounds.

Academic leadership and institutional influence

Waksman played a key role in developing microbiology as an academic discipline in the United States. At Rutgers, he helped establish strong research and teaching programmes, training numerous students who went on to careers in academia, industry, and medicine.
In 1954, the Waksman Institute of Microbiology was founded in his honour at Rutgers University. The institute reflected his commitment to interdisciplinary research and the practical application of scientific knowledge to human health.

Nobel Prize and recognition

In 1952, Waksman was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for the discovery of streptomycin. The prize recognised the profound medical importance of his work and its impact on the control of tuberculosis.
The award also highlighted the growing importance of microbiology and natural product research in modern medicine. However, the attribution of credit for streptomycin later became controversial, particularly regarding the contributions of Albert Schatz, prompting ongoing discussion about scientific recognition and authorship.

Ethical issues and controversy

Waksman’s career was not without criticism. Legal disputes arose over the allocation of credit and financial rewards associated with streptomycin. These controversies drew attention to broader ethical issues in scientific research, including mentorship, intellectual property, and the distribution of benefits arising from discovery.
Despite these disputes, Waksman’s overall scientific contribution remains widely acknowledged. His work helped establish norms for antibiotic discovery that continue to influence research practices.

Later years and broader interests

In his later years, Waksman remained active as a writer and advocate for science. He published extensively on microbiology, antibiotics, and the social responsibilities of scientists. He emphasised the need for continued research into infectious diseases and warned against complacency in the face of microbial resistance.
Waksman also supported international scientific cooperation, recognising that infectious diseases posed global challenges requiring collective solutions.