Gerhard Domagk

Gerhard Domagk (1895–1964) was a German physician and pathologist who discovered that Prontosil could treat bacterial infections, helping launch sulfonamide chemotherapy.

Prontosil: Prontosil is a red azo dye whose antibacterial action in animals led to its use against streptococcal infections. Domagk identified its protective effect in infected mice and helped establish its clinical use.
Prodrug: A prodrug is a compound converted inside the body into a pharmacologically active drug. Prontosil is metabolized into sulfanilamide, the compound responsible for its antibacterial action.
Bayer: Bayer is a German chemical and pharmaceutical company founded in 1863. Domagk conducted the dye and drug research that led to Prontosil at Bayer’s laboratories.
Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine: The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine is an annual award for discoveries in life science and medicine. Domagk received the 1939 prize for discovering the antibacterial effects of Prontosil.
Sulfa drug: A sulfa drug is a synthetic antimicrobial containing a sulfonamide group. Prontosil’s success opened the way to widespread use of this antibacterial drug family.
Sulfonamide: Sulfonamides are synthetic antimicrobial drugs that inhibit bacterial folate synthesis. Prontosil’s active breakdown product belongs to this drug class, which Domagk’s work helped introduce.
Sulfanilamide: Sulfanilamide is an antibacterial compound that inhibits bacterial folate production. It is the active metabolite that explains Prontosil’s effects in the body.
IG Farben: IG Farben was a German chemical conglomerate formed in 1925 from several companies, including Bayer. Domagk’s research belonged to Bayer’s organization before its incorporation into IG Farben.
Jacques Tréfouël: Jacques Tréfouël was a French chemist who helped identify sulfanilamide as Prontosil’s active component. His team’s later work clarified the chemical basis of the effect Domagk had found.
Antibiotic: An antibiotic is a substance that kills bacteria or inhibits their growth, used to treat bacterial infections. Domagk’s synthetic antibacterial therapy preceded and helped establish the era of antimicrobial treatment.

Linked from 2 pages

IsoniazidRelated: His work helped spur the search for synthetic drugs against tuberculosis that led to isoniazid.