Ground was broken for the USC Kenneth Norris Jr. Cancer Hospital and Research Institute
On May 10, 1979, ground was broken for the new site of the Kenneth Norris Jr. Cancer Research…
The Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research was established to support medical scientists
In 1979, the Honourable Peter Lougheed introduced an Act to the Alberta Legislature to establish the Alberta Heritage…
The National Association for Biomedical Research was founded
In 1979, The National Association for Biomedical Research (NABR) was founded providing the unified voice for the scientific…
The most mutated gene in human cancer, p53, a tumor suppressor gene, was identified
In 1979, the most frequently mutated gene in human cancer, p53, was identified by six groups of researchers…
Modified radical mastectomy replaced radical mastectomy for breast cancer
In 1979, Modified radical mastectomy replaced radical mastectomy for breast cancer. The standard of care for patients with…
Early concern over the dangers of recombinant DNA has waned and NIH guidelines were relaxed
In 1979, early concern over the dangers of recombinant DNA has waned and the National Institutes of Health…
Joan Steitz discovered snRNPs
In 1979, Joan Steitz discovered snRNPs, RNA-protein complexes in the cell’s nucleus that perform a crucial step in…
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…
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 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…
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…
Molecular biologist Lydia Villa-Komaroff authored a paper demonstrating that bacteria could produce insulin
In August 1978, molecular biologist Lydia Villa-Komaroff was lead author of a paper demonstrating that bacteria could produce…
Prenatal DNA sequencing was developed at Boston Children’s
In 1978, Boston Children’s researcher Stuart Orkin and his team developed a new DNA sequencing technique for prenatal…
The NCI awarded the Cancer Center of Metropolitan Detroit with comprehensive status
In 1978, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) awarded the Cancer Center of Metropolitan Detroit with comprehensive status. Known…
Biotechnology | Diagnostics | NIH | Oncology | Radiology | Therapeutics
The Norris Cotton Cancer Center received NCI Cancer Center designation
In 1978, the Norris Cotton Cancer Center in New Hampshire received National Cancer Institute (NCI) designated in recognition…
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.
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…
Hybritech was founded in San Diego
In 1978, Hybritech was founded by cancer researcher Ivor Royston and lab technician Howard Birndorf of the University…
FDA Approved Cialis(R) (tadalafil) for Once Daily Use for the Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction
On Jan. 8, 2008, Eli Lilly announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had approved Cialis(R)…
Biogen was founded
In 1978, Biogen was established in 1978 by a group of scientists and three venture capitalists as Biogen…
Biotechnology | Diagnostics | Disease | FDA | Oncology | Radiology | Therapeutics | Women's Health
Tamoxifen was approved by the FDA for the treatment of breast cancer
On Dec. 30, 1977, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Tamoxifen, an anti-estrogen drug, for the treatment…
Biotechnology | CDC | Infectious Disease | Neurology | USDA | Veterinary
chronic wasting disease first observed in a captive deer in Colorado
In 1967, chronic wasting disease (CWD) was first observed in a captive deer in Colorado where it was…
The first lupus awareness observance occurred
On Aug. 31, 1977, in recognition of the seriousness of lupus and America’s commitment to its control, the…
Biotechnology | Diagnostics | HIV | Infectious Disease | Life Science History | Therapeutics | Vaccine | Women's Health
PATH was founded with seed money from the Ford Foundation
On May 12, 1977, the Program for the Introduction and Adaptation of Contraceptive Technology (PIACT) was founded by…
The first national cancer patient education program (I Can Cope) was founded
In 1977, the first national cancer patient education program (I Can Cope) was founded by the National Cancer…