Azaserine

/ˌæzəˈsɛriːn/ noun

Definition

An antibiotic compound derived from streptomyces bacteria, historically used as a cancer chemotherapy drug and antibiotic.

Etymology

A chemical compound name combining 'aza-' (chemistry prefix indicating a nitrogen-containing ring) with a root referencing its origin or chemical structure, coined in mid-20th century pharmaceutical research.

Kelly Says

Azaserine was one of the early antibiotics discovered from soil bacteria in the 1950s, and it's a perfect example of how scientists have systematically hunted through soil samples worldwide to find life-saving drugs—a strategy that still works today.

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