New Jersey gets official state microbe: Streptomyces griseus
A microorganism that played a role in treating tuberculosis is now officially recognized as New Jersey's state microbe.
•
May 11, 2019, 7:20 PM
•
Updated 1,986 days ago
Share:
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - A microorganism that played a role in treating tuberculosis is now officially recognized as New Jersey's state microbe.
Gov. Phil Murphy signed a bill Friday giving the distinction to Streptomyces griseus.
The microbe was discovered in New Jersey soil in 1916.
In 1943, researchers from Rutgers University used the microbe to create the antibiotic streptomycin.
Tuberculosis death rates in the U.S. plummeted. They fell from about 194 deaths per 100,000 people in 1900 to about 9 deaths per 100,000 people in 1955.
Rutgers researcher Selman Waksman was awarded the 1952 Nobel Prize for Medicine for discovering the microbe and creating the antibiotic.
(Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
More from News 12
2:00
All East Orange schools to run on half-day schedule on Friday following heated meeting with officials
2:53
Autumn air sticks around for one more day in New Jersey
1:08
ANCHOR benefit website down until Oct. 23 for maintenance
1:43
JCP&L: Squirrel causes power outage in Monmouth County for 2nd time in as many months
0:30
Prosecutor: 2 nursing assistants accused of critically injuring patient in assault
0:40
