Medicine and hygiene in Cagliari
Born in Cagliari, Brotzu trained in medicine, directed hygiene research at the University of Cagliari and served as its rector. His academic career was closely connected with public health in Sardinia.
References: [1]
An antibacterial culture
In 1945 Brotzu identified antibacterial properties in a fungal culture in Sardinia. The culture reached Oxford’s Dunn School in 1948, where Norman Heatley and other researchers investigated it. Edward Abraham and Guy Newton subsequently isolated and studied its antibacterial compounds. Brotzu’s observation and the later isolation and structural work on cephalosporin C were successive contributions.
Public office
Brotzu also served as a regional councillor and health official. He was President of Sardinia from 1955 to 1958 and later Mayor of Cagliari. He died in Cagliari in 1976.
References: [1]