Joan Steitz discovered snRNPs
In 1979, Joan Steitz discovered snRNPs, RNA-protein complexes in the cell’s nucleus that perform a crucial step in…
First insulin pump for diabetes was developed
In 1979, Dr. Robert Sherwin and Dr. William Tamborlane from Yale University announced they had developed an insulin…
The last wild case of polio was recorded in the U.S.
In 1979, the last wild case of polio was recorded in the U.S. However, in 1993, the virus…
Medtronic established a Heart Valves division
In 1979, Medtronic established a Heart Valves division and introduced the Medtronic Hall mechanical heart valve. This prosthetic…
Dr. Norman H Cromwell became acting director of the Eppley Cancer Center
In 1979, Dr. Norman H. Cromwell of the Department of Chemistry, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, became acting director of…
Dr. William Thurman became head of OMRF
In 1979, Dr. William Thurman took the helm of the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF) and helped establish…
Centocor was founded
In 1979, Centocor was founded – one of the nation’s first biotechnology companies best known for developing Remicade…
The University of Pennsylvania’s Institute on Aging was created
In 1979, the University of Pennsylvania’s Institute on Aging (IOA) was created to improve the health of the…
Biology | Diagnostics | Disease | Life Science History | Non-Profit Research | Oncology | Therapeutics
FDA approved Cisplatin, a platinum-containing anticancer compound
On Dec. 19, 1978, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Cisplatin for use in testicular and ovarian…
President Carter signed the Community Mental Health Centers Act
On Nov. 9, 1978, the President Jimmy Carter signed the Community Mental Health Centers Act (P.L. 95-622) amending…
The first human testing of a biological therapy was conducted (alpha-interferon)
On Nov. 9, 1978, the first human testing of a biological therapy was conducted (alpha-interferon). The Cancer Research…
The University of Washington Health Sciences Building was renamed the Magnuson Health Sciences Center
On Oct. 3, 1978, the University of Washington Health Sciences Building was renamed the Magnuson Health Sciences Center…
Genentech successfully cloned the gene encoding human insulin in Escherichia coli bacteria
On Sept. 6, 1978, Genentech, the most successful of the new biotech start-up companies, announced that scientists at…
The first test-tube baby was born in the United Kingdom
On Jul. 25, 1978, the first test-tube baby was born in the United Kingdom. Louise Joy Brown is…
Ontario researchers demonstrated that Aspirin can prevent strokes
On Jul. 13, 1978, Ontario researchers published the results of a study led by Dr. Henry Barnett that…
The CDC reported the first drug-resistant tuberculosis outbreak
In May 1978, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported a patient was first diagnosed…
The Priestley Medal was awarded to Melvin Calvin
In 1978, The Priestley Medal was awarded to Melvin Calvin by the American Chemical Society “to recognize distinguished…
Yellow fever vaccine (YF-Vax by Connaught) was licensed in the U.S.
On Jan. 3, 1978, the Yellow fever vaccine (YF-Vax by Connaught) was licensed in the U.S. The Yellow…
Monovalent group A, group C meningococcal vaccines, and a bivalent vaccine for both groups A and C were licensed
On Jan. 3, 1978, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) licensed the Monovalent group A (Menomune-A by…
The Cancer Center of Metropolitan Detroit was established
In 1978, The Karmanos Cancer Institute (KCI), a not-for-profit, NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center was founded in metropolitan Detroit….
Metastatic cells were shown to arise from pre-existing subpopulations of cells in primary tumors
In 1978, metastatic cells were shown to arise from pre-existing subpopulations of cells in primary tumors.
The FDA approved cisplatin (Platinol) for use in combination with other drugs in the treatment of metastatic testicular and metastatic ovarian cancer
In 1978, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved cisplatin (Platinol) for use in combination with other…
Carl Woese, an American microbiologist, defined Archaea as a new domain
In 1978, Carl Woese, an American microbiologist defined Archaea as a new domain based upon genetic relationships that…
Drs. Shaffer, Hoskins and Hetherington founded the Glaucoma Research Foundation
In 1978, Drs. Shaffer, Hoskins and Hetherington founded the Glaucoma Research Foundation (GRF), now America’s oldest and most…
University of Arizona Cancer Center was designated by the NCI as an official cancer research and treatment center
In 1978, The University of Arizona Cancer Center (UACC) received its first National Cancer Institute (NCI) Support Grant…
The University of California, San Diego Cancer Center was founded
In 1978, the University of California, San Diego Cancer Center was founded as one of just 45 National…
UC-Berkeley scientist Choh Hao Li discovered Beta-endorphin, a substance produced in the brain that acts as a pain killer
In 1978, University of California, Berkeley (UC-Berkeley) scientist Choh Hao Li discovers Beta-endorphin, a substance produced in the…
Hybritech was founded in San Diego
In 1978, Hybritech was founded by cancer researcher Ivor Royston and lab technician Howard Birndorf of the University…
The Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes was founded
In 1978, The Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes (BDC) was founded by Marvin Davis, former chair of…
The CDC held its first international conference on Legionnaires’ disease
In 1978, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) held its first international conference on Legionnaires’…