4. Sweet Wormwood: Malaria’s Nemesis
This unassuming Chinese herb contains artemisinin, which kills malaria parasites resistant to other treatments. Tu Youyou identified the compound in 1972, winning a Nobel Prize for her work. Scientists later created more bioavailable derivatives like artesunate for severe cases. Through synthetic biology, researchers now produce artemisinin using engineered yeast. This technological advance ensures stable global supplies without relying solely on plant cultivation. Artemisinin-based therapies have saved millions of lives worldwide.