Ernest chain and Howared Florey's contribution was

Options

A. Discovery of streptokinase
B. Establishment of potential of penicillin as effective drug
C. Discovery of DNA sequences
D. Isolating the bacterial plasmid

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Introduction to the Scientists:**
- Ernest Chain and Howard Florey were key figures in the development of penicillin as a therapeutic drug. Their work followed the initial discovery of penicillin by Alexander Fleming.

2. **Discovery of Penicillin:**
- Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin in 1928 when he observed that the Penicillium notatum fungus contaminated his bacterial cultures and killed the surrounding bacteria, specifically Streptococcus.

3. **Development of Penicillin:**
- While Fleming discovered penicillin, it was Ernest Chain and Howard Florey who recognized its potential as a powerful antibiotic. They worked on isolating and purifying penicillin, making it usable for medical treatments.

4. **Clinical Trials:**
- Chain and Florey conducted extensive experiments and clinical trials during the late 1930s and early 1940s to demonstrate the effectiveness of penicillin in treating bacterial infections.

5. **Impact During World War II:**
- Their work was particularly significant during World War II, where penicillin was used to treat infected wounds in soldiers, drastically reducing mortality rates from bacterial infections.

6. **Recognition:**
- For their contributions, Ernest Chain, Howard Florey, and Alexander Fleming were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1945.

7. **Conclusion:**
- In summary, Ernest Chain and Howard Florey played a crucial role in transforming penicillin from a laboratory curiosity into a life-saving antibiotic used in clinical settings.