H. Boyd Woodruff facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
H. Boyd Woodruff
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| Born | July 22, 1917 |
| Died | January 19, 2017 (aged 99) |
| Education | Rutgers University |
| Spouse(s) | Jeanette Irene Whitner Woodruff (1920–2015) |
| Children | Brian and Hugh |
| Parent(s) | Harold E. Woodruff |
Harold Boyd Woodruff (born July 22, 1917 – died January 19, 2017) was an important American scientist. He studied tiny living things in the soil. These tiny things are called microbes.
He was a member of the National Academy of Sciences. This is a group of top scientists in the United States. Woodruff was famous for finding a special medicine called actinomycin. He also helped make many natural products. These products were made using a process called fermentation.
Some of these products included cyanocobalamin, which is a form of Vitamin B12. He also helped develop avermectins and other important medicines that fight germs. These medicines are called antibiotics. He passed away at 99 years old in his home in Watchung, New Jersey.
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Who Was H. Boyd Woodruff?
Harold Boyd Woodruff was a scientist who loved to study the ground beneath our feet. He was a soil microbiologist. This means he looked at the tiny living things in soil. These tiny things are called microbes. Microbes include bacteria and fungi.
Woodruff was born in 1917 in Bridgeton, New Jersey. He lived a long life, almost 100 years. He passed away in 2017. His work helped us understand how microbes can be useful.
Discoveries and Inventions
Woodruff made big contributions to science. He found a very important substance called actinomycin. This was a type of antibiotic. Antibiotics are medicines that help fight off bad germs.
He also helped create ways to make many natural products. He used a method called fermentation. Fermentation is a process where microbes help change one substance into another. Think of how yeast helps make bread rise.
Making Important Medicines
Woodruff's work helped produce many useful things. One was cyanocobalamin. This is a man-made version of Vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 is important for our bodies to stay healthy.
He also worked on avermectins. These are medicines used to treat certain kinds of infections. His discoveries made it possible to make these products in large amounts. This meant more people could get the medicines they needed.
A Member of Top Scientists
Woodruff was chosen to be part of the National Academy of Sciences. This is a very special honor. It means he was recognized as one of the best scientists in the country. Only scientists who have done amazing research are invited to join.
His work showed how important soil microbes are. They are not just tiny creatures. They can help us find new medicines. They can also help us make useful products for our health.
