title: The 50th anniversary of the discovery of 6-aminopenicillanic acid (6-APA).
abstract: This year (2007) marks the 50th anniversary of [corrected] discovery of 6-aminopenicillanic acid (6-APA), the precursor of all semi-synthetic penicillins [corrected] This review, by a scientist who played a major part in the discovery and a physician who participated in the early clinical trials of these antibiotics, tells the story of the discovery and of the early development of the beta-lactam antibiotics that revolutionised the treatment of infections.
authors.affiliation: Beecham Pharmaceuticals, Brockham Park, Betchworth, UK.
authors.forename: G N
authors.initials: GN
authors.lastname: Rolinson
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Geddes
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D002511:Cephalosporins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D006868:Hydrolysis; D010397:Penicillanic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000378:metabolism; D010406:Penicillins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013845:Thienamycins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use; D065093:beta-Lactamase Inhibitors; D001618:beta-Lactamases / Q000378:metabolism; D047090:beta-Lactams / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002511:Cephalosporins; D010406:Penicillins; D013845:Thienamycins; D065093:beta-Lactamase Inhibitors; D047090:beta-Lactams; D010397:Penicillanic Acid; D001618:beta-Lactamases; C004408:aminopenicillanic acid