John W. McCafferty

John W. McCafferty was a pioneering American biochemist best known for discovering an enzyme called beta-lactamase, which bacteria use to resist antibiotics like penicillin. This discovery helped scientists understand how antibiotic resistance develops, influencing the design of new drugs and strategies to combat bacterial infections. His work significantly contributed to microbiology and medicine, improving approaches to treat bacterial diseases and addressing public health challenges related to antibiotic resistance.