Penicillium chrysogenum mold fungus—The Brush Behind Fleming’s Breakthrough
Penicillium chrysogenum is one of the best-known mold species worldwide, and for good reason. It was the starting point for one of the most significant medical discoveries of the 20th century: penicillin. But this brush-like fungus is much more than just a historic chance discovery.
Today, Penicillium chrysogenum plays an important role in laboratory analysis and environmental research. As an adaptable moisture indicator, it often occurs on building materials or foodstuffs and provides valuable information about moisture and hygiene damage. At the same time, it is a versatile model organism on which numerous metabolic processes and genome studies are carried out.
Its enormous ecological range, high spore production, and medical relevance make Penicillium chrysogenum a fascinating example of the connection between science, practice, and history.
