Did you know that a simple oversight in a laboratory changed the history of medicine?
In 1928, Alexander Fleming made a discovery that would save millions of lives: penicillin, the first antibiotic. But the most surprising thing is that he did not find it because he was looking for it… but by accident! His powers of observation and curiosity led him to take advantage of an unexpected discovery and transform medicine forever.
In this module, we will explore Fleming’s life and the world of microorganisms: what are bacteria and why some can make us sick while others are essential to our health? We will also learn how antibiotics work, what bacterial resistance is, and why the human microbiome is key to our well-being.
Fleming left us an invaluable lesson: science advances not only with planning, but also with imagination and attention to detail. Join us to discover how a small mold revolutionized medicine and how serendipity continues to play a role in today’s scientific discoveries.
Character Curiosities
- 🧪 A messy lab changed medicine – If Fleming had been neater, he might never have noticed penicillin.
- 🍄 Penicillin comes from a fungus – It’s a type of mold called Penicillium notatum.
- 🌎 He saved millions of lives, but did not patent his discovery – He believed that penicillin should be accessible to everyone, not just those who could afford it.
