I Contain Multitudes: Superbugs That Resist Antibiotics Can Evolve in 11 Days

A microscopic view shows a number of microbes.

In 1928, a physician named Alexander Fleming observed that a mold in one of his Petri dishes was killing the bacteria he was trying to grow. This strain of mold led to one of the most significant medical discoveries in history: the antibiotic penicillin. Antibiotics soon became lifesavers. However, even back then, Fleming knew that bacteria could become resistant to penicillin. This video describes how widespread use of antibiotics in medicine, agriculture, and household products can lead to the evolution of microbes that are resistant to multiple antibiotics. Part of the "I Contain Multitudes" series.

(Source: DCMP)

Metadata

Keywords:
adaptability, evolution

Files 1

  • I Contain Multitudes: Superbugs That Resist Antibiotics Can Evolve in 11 Days

    Type:
    Video
    Format:
    Streaming
    Accommodations:
    English Audio Descriptions - Visual, English Captions - Auditory
    Languages:
    English
    License:
    DCMP Membership
    Author:
    Tangled Bank Studios
    Length:
    9 minutes