Cephalosporins are close relatives to the penicillin antibiotics — the family of antibiotics called the “beta-lactams” based on their chemical properties.

The first cephalosporin was first isolated in 1948 from the fungus Cephalosporium. As you can see, scientists are very imaginative when coming up with names for the compounds they isolate!

Cephalosporins are more evolved forms of penicillins, improved to be stronger and better at treating infections, and as such are the most widely used antibiotics on the planet.

Some bacteria carry an enzyme called “beta-lactamase” that is able to destroy beta-lactam antibiotics, including penicillins and cephalosporins.