Clodomiro Picado Twight
Encyclopedia
Clodomiro Picado Twight (April 17, 1887 - May 16, 1944), also known as "Clorito Picado", was a Nicaraguan
-born scientist
, citizen of Costa Rica
, who was recognized for his research and discoveries. He was pioneer in the researching snakes and serpent venoms; his internationally recognized achievement was the development of various anti-venom serums. He was one of the precursors of the discovery of penicillin
, which he used to treat patients a couple of years before the formal discovery of penicillin
by Alexander Fleming
. He wrote over 115 works, mainly books and monographs.
in Nicaragua
to his parents, Clodomiro Picado Lara and Carlota Twight Umaña, who both had Costa Rican citizenship. In 1890, Picado, at the age of 3, and his parents, moved to Cartago
, Costa Rica. He attended Colegio San Luis Gonzaga, where he received his bachelor's degree
in 1906. Due to his excellent qualifications he was granted a scholarship
to study in France
, where he later studied at the University of the Sorbonne and received his diploma in Zoology
in 1909. In 1910 he returned to Costa Rica, but left shortly after to continue his studies. He received his diploma with superior studies in Botany
. Picado received the academic rank
of Doctor
in science in 1913, that same year he was admitted to the Pasteur Institute
and the Colonial Institute of Paris. In 1915 he published "Anales del Hospital de San José", a quarterly medical publication in Costa Rica.
, medical microbiology, and immunology.
In March 2000, doctors from the San Juan de Dios Hospital in San José
, the capital of Costa Rica, published his manuscripts, in which he explains his experiences between 1915 and 1927 with the inhibiting action of fungi of the "Penicillin sp" genre in the growth of staphylococci and streptococci (bacteria that cause a series of infections). In 1927, he demonstrated the inhibitory action of the bacillus genus penicillium sp on the proliferation of the bacteria staphylococcus and streptococcus. Although, the discovery of penicillin has been attributed to Alexander Fleming
, Picados' old laboratory notebooks from 1923 show records of the antibiosis of penicillium sp.
For this reason he is renowned as one of the precursors of the penicillin antibiotic, discovered by the Scottish
biologist
and pharmacologist, Alexander Fleming
, in 1928. The report with the results of the treatments performed with penicillin by Dr. Picado were published by the Biology Society of Paris in 1927.
In memory of Dr. Picado's outstanding scientific work, since 1977 the Costa Rican Ministry of Science and Technology (MICIT), together with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport (MCJD) grant annually the National Award of Science and Technology "Clodomiro Picado Twight", as stimulus and recognition for the prominent scientific and technological work of Costa Rican citizens. The prize was modified in June 2000, and divided into the following two categories a year later:
Both prizes are awarded annually. The winners become creditors of a commemorative statuette of Dr. Picado, a parchment and a prize in cash.
Picado is featured on the 2,000 colón
banknote of Costa Rica.
In 2000, Picado’s daughter-in-law, Lolita González Picado, accepted the Gold Medal awarded posthumously to Picado by the World Intellectual Property Organization
(WIPO).
There are several institutions and places in Costa Rica
named after Picado's memory:
Nicaraguan
Nicaraguans are people inhabiting in, originating or having significant heritage from Nicaragua. Most Nicaraguans live in Nicaragua, although there is also a significant Nicaraguan diaspora, particularly in Costa Rica and the United States with smaller communities in other countries around the world...
-born scientist
Scientist
A scientist in a broad sense is one engaging in a systematic activity to acquire knowledge. In a more restricted sense, a scientist is an individual who uses the scientific method. The person may be an expert in one or more areas of science. This article focuses on the more restricted use of the word...
, citizen of Costa Rica
Costa Rica
Costa Rica , officially the Republic of Costa Rica is a multilingual, multiethnic and multicultural country in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the southeast, the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Caribbean Sea to the east....
, who was recognized for his research and discoveries. He was pioneer in the researching snakes and serpent venoms; his internationally recognized achievement was the development of various anti-venom serums. He was one of the precursors of the discovery of penicillin
Penicillin
Penicillin is a group of antibiotics derived from Penicillium fungi. They include penicillin G, procaine penicillin, benzathine penicillin, and penicillin V....
, which he used to treat patients a couple of years before the formal discovery of penicillin
Discovery of penicillin
Alexander Fleming was the first to suggest that the Penicillium mould must secrete an antibacterial substance, and the first to isolate the active substance which he named penicillin, but he was not the first to use its properties...
by Alexander Fleming
Alexander Fleming
Sir Alexander Fleming was a Scottish biologist and pharmacologist. He wrote many articles on bacteriology, immunology, and chemotherapy...
. He wrote over 115 works, mainly books and monographs.
Early life
Picado was born on April 1887 in San MarcosSan Marcos, Carazo
San Marcos is a municipality in the Carazo Department of Nicaragua. It is located at south from the capital, Managua, and has a population of around 30,600 inhabitants....
in Nicaragua
Nicaragua
Nicaragua is the largest country in the Central American American isthmus, bordered by Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south. The country is situated between 11 and 14 degrees north of the Equator in the Northern Hemisphere, which places it entirely within the tropics. The Pacific Ocean...
to his parents, Clodomiro Picado Lara and Carlota Twight Umaña, who both had Costa Rican citizenship. In 1890, Picado, at the age of 3, and his parents, moved to Cartago
Cartago, Costa Rica
- See also :* Cartago Agrarian Union Party* Provincial Integration Party Three* Cartago in Spanish...
, Costa Rica. He attended Colegio San Luis Gonzaga, where he received his bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
in 1906. Due to his excellent qualifications he was granted a scholarship
Scholarship
A scholarship is an award of financial aid for a student to further education. Scholarships are awarded on various criteria usually reflecting the values and purposes of the donor or founder of the award.-Types:...
to study in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, where he later studied at the University of the Sorbonne and received his diploma in Zoology
Zoology
Zoology |zoölogy]]), is the branch of biology that relates to the animal kingdom, including the structure, embryology, evolution, classification, habits, and distribution of all animals, both living and extinct...
in 1909. In 1910 he returned to Costa Rica, but left shortly after to continue his studies. He received his diploma with superior studies in Botany
Botany
Botany, plant science, or plant biology is a branch of biology that involves the scientific study of plant life. Traditionally, botany also included the study of fungi, algae and viruses...
. Picado received the academic rank
Academic rank in France
The following summarizes basic academic ranks in the French higher education system:-State university system:* PU equivalent to Full Professor)...
of Doctor
Doctor (title)
Doctor, as a title, originates from the Latin word of the same spelling and meaning. The word is originally an agentive noun of the Latin verb docēre . It has been used as an honored academic title for over a millennium in Europe, where it dates back to the rise of the university. This use spread...
in science in 1913, that same year he was admitted to the Pasteur Institute
Pasteur Institute
The Pasteur Institute is a French non-profit private foundation dedicated to the study of biology, micro-organisms, diseases, and vaccines. It is named after Louis Pasteur, who made some of the greatest breakthroughs in modern medicine at the time, including pasteurization and vaccines for anthrax...
and the Colonial Institute of Paris. In 1915 he published "Anales del Hospital de San José", a quarterly medical publication in Costa Rica.
Death
In 1944, after an ailment Picado died. Dr. Picado was declared "Meritorious of the Motherland" by the Costa Rican Congress, by means of decree no. 34 of 21 of December 1943.Investigation and findings
The scientific work of Dr. Picado was prolific and very extensive; it is calculated that he wrote about 115 research papers in his lifetime, delving into nearly all aspects of his environment: soil, flora, fauna, human tissues,water, and others. Among them are included books and monographs. His work covered topics of zoology, botany of bromeliads, ophidism, physiology, phytopathology, industrial microbiologyIndustrial microbiology
Industrial microbiology or microbial biotechnology encompasses the use of microorganisms in the manufacture of food or industrial products. The use of microorganisms for the production of food, either human or animal, is often considered a branch of food microbiology...
, medical microbiology, and immunology.
In March 2000, doctors from the San Juan de Dios Hospital in San José
San José, Costa Rica
San José is the capital and largest city of Costa Rica. Located in the Central Valley, San José is the seat of national government, the focal point of political and economic activity, and the major transportation hub of this Central American nation.Founded in 1738 by order of Cabildo de León, San...
, the capital of Costa Rica, published his manuscripts, in which he explains his experiences between 1915 and 1927 with the inhibiting action of fungi of the "Penicillin sp" genre in the growth of staphylococci and streptococci (bacteria that cause a series of infections). In 1927, he demonstrated the inhibitory action of the bacillus genus penicillium sp on the proliferation of the bacteria staphylococcus and streptococcus. Although, the discovery of penicillin has been attributed to Alexander Fleming
Alexander Fleming
Sir Alexander Fleming was a Scottish biologist and pharmacologist. He wrote many articles on bacteriology, immunology, and chemotherapy...
, Picados' old laboratory notebooks from 1923 show records of the antibiosis of penicillium sp.
For this reason he is renowned as one of the precursors of the penicillin antibiotic, discovered by the Scottish
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
biologist
Biologist
A biologist is a scientist devoted to and producing results in biology through the study of life. Typically biologists study organisms and their relationship to their environment. Biologists involved in basic research attempt to discover underlying mechanisms that govern how organisms work...
and pharmacologist, Alexander Fleming
Alexander Fleming
Sir Alexander Fleming was a Scottish biologist and pharmacologist. He wrote many articles on bacteriology, immunology, and chemotherapy...
, in 1928. The report with the results of the treatments performed with penicillin by Dr. Picado were published by the Biology Society of Paris in 1927.
Honors and recognition
- National Award of Science "Clodomiro Picado Twight"
- National Award of Technology "Clodomiro Picado Twight"
Both prizes are awarded annually. The winners become creditors of a commemorative statuette of Dr. Picado, a parchment and a prize in cash.
Picado is featured on the 2,000 colón
Costa Rican colón
The colón is the currency of Costa Rica. The plural is colones in Spanish, but English speakers often say colons instead. The ISO 4217 code is CRC....
banknote of Costa Rica.
In 2000, Picado’s daughter-in-law, Lolita González Picado, accepted the Gold Medal awarded posthumously to Picado by the World Intellectual Property Organization
World Intellectual Property Organization
The World Intellectual Property Organization is one of the 17 specialized agencies of the United Nations. WIPO was created in 1967 "to encourage creative activity, to promote the protection of intellectual property throughout the world"....
(WIPO).
There are several institutions and places in Costa Rica
Costa Rica
Costa Rica , officially the Republic of Costa Rica is a multilingual, multiethnic and multicultural country in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the southeast, the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Caribbean Sea to the east....
named after Picado's memory:
- Clodomiro Picado Research Institute in Dulce NombreDulce NombreDulce Nombre is a municipality in the Honduran department of Copán.-References:...
, CoronadoCoronadoCoronado may refer to:* Francisco Vásquez de Coronado, a Spanish explorer* Rodney Coronado, a US activist* Coronado, California* Coronado, Chihuahua* Coronado, Kansas* Coronado * Coronado Yachts* Coronado 15...
, San José. Established in 1970, the institute is a research unit of the Universidad de Costa Rica, responsible for the production of snake antiophidic serums and scientific research on serpents and their venoms, as well as educational and extension programs in rural areas and hospitals. - Clodomiro Picado Twight High School (known also as I.E.T.), in Turrialba, CartagoCartagoCartago is the name of at least three different places:* Cartago Province, Costa Rica* Cartago, Costa Rica, capital of the province of Cartago* Cartago, Valle del Cauca, Colombia* Cartago, California, United States-See also:*Special:Allpages/Cartago...
. - Clodomiro Picado Medical Clinic, in Cinco Esquinas, Tibás, San José.