Albert Schatz (scientist)

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Albert Schatz (2 February 1920 – 17 January 2005) was a scientist who was eventually named the co-discoverer of streptomycin, an antibiotic remedy used to treat tuberculosis and a number of other diseases. Schatz managed to isolate two strains of Actinobacteria, which could effectively cease the growth of several penicillin-resistant bacteria, on October 19, 1943 in the course of his graduate work at Rutgers University.

Originally, the discovery of streptomycin was credited only to Schatz's supervisor, Selman Waksman. Schatz, however, strongly contested this, and in 1950 brought litigation against Waksman, requesting recognition as streptomycin's co-discoverer and a portion of streptomycin royalties. Schatz's requests were eventually granted in an out-of-court settlement.

Schatz was awarded the Rutgers medal in 1994 for his work on developing streptomycin.

Up until two years before his death, Schatz had worked for a local Co-op sharpening knives. He died from pancreatic cancer at his home in Philadelphia in 2005.