Genetic markers were found for kidney disease and cystic fibrosis
On Oct. 11, 1985, scientists in Canada and Massachusetts reported discovering the first genetic marker for the widespread…
Surgeons implanted a Total Artificial Heart into a 25-year-old grocery store clerk
On Aug. 29, 1985, Dr. Jack Copeland, a cardiac surgeon at University Medical Center (now Banner—University Medical Center…
Disease | FDA | Medical Device | Therapeutics
Bill Schroeder, the second human recipient of the Jarvik 7 artificial heart, was discharged from the hospital
On Apr. 6, 1985, Bill Schroeder from Jasper, Indiana, the second human recipient of the Jarvik 7 artificial…
Biology | Disease | Environmental | EPA | Neurology
The EPA sets new limits on lead in gasoline
On Mar. 4, 1985, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee M. Thomas announced final standards to cut…
Nerve-sparing prostatectomy, designed to preserve potency and urinary continence, was introduced
In 1985, nerve-sparing prostatectomy, designed to preserve potency and urinary continence, was introduced. This procedure resulted in markedly…
Lumpectomy plus radiation therapy is found equivalent to mastectomy for early breast cancer
In 1985, Lumpectomy plus radiation therapy was found equivalent to mastectomy for early breast cancer. Lumpectomy followed by…
Scientists discovered the HER2 gene
In 1985, the HER2 oncogene was discovered by Axel Ullrich, a young scientist at Genentech. The new oncogene…
Dr. Anthony Pawson discovered the SH2 protein domain involved in controlling cell behavior, leading to targeted cancer drugs
In 1985, Dr. Anthony Pawson discovered the SH2 protein domain involved in controlling cell behavior, leading to targeted…
Michael Stuart Brown was awarded Nobel Prize in Medicine
In 1985, Michael Stuart Brown from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas was awarded the…
The University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute was founded
In 1985, the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute (UPCI) was founded in Pittsburgh. UPCI has 320 faculty members…
U.S. Surgeon General reported that there was “very solid” evidence linking cigarette smoke to lung disease in non-smokers
On May 23, 1984, U.S. Surgeon General reported that there was “very solid” evidence linking cigarette smoke to…
Stanford Medicine researchers Isolated a gene coding for part of the T-cell receptor
On Mar. 8, 1984, two articles describing the cloning of the T-Cell Receptor (TCR) by Tak Wah Mak…
Doctors at Children’s Hospital of Pennsylvania performed the world’s first heart-liver transplant
On Feb. 14, 1984, the world’s first successful combined heart-liver transplant was performed in Pittsburgh at UPMC Children’s…
University of Iowa research team determined precise areas of brain damage responsible for memory loss associated with Alzheimer’s disease
On Jan. 1, 1984, a University of Iowa College of Medicine research team headed by Dr. Antonio Damasio…
Biotechnology | Diagnostics | Disease | Medicine | Neurology | NIH | Therapeutics
UC San Diego was selected as one of the original five national Alzheimer’s disease research centers by the National Institute on Aging
In 1984, the University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego) was selected as one of the original…
The San Diego County Trauma System was estalished
In 1984, University of California, San Diego Trauma Center (UC San Diego) joined with six other area hospitals…
Lawrence Livermore researchers published solution to chromosome painting
In 1984, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory researchers published their solution to chromosome painting that has been widely adopted….
The University of Virginia Cancer Center was founded
In 1984, the University of Virginia Cancer Center, now Virginia Health, was founded in Charlottesville. The UVA Cancer…
National Alzheimer’s Disease Month was established
On Oct. 3, 1983, President Ronald Reagan issued a proclamation making the month of November as National Alzheimer’s…
Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month was Established
On Sept. 21, 1983, Sickle Cell Month was officially recognized nationally when the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously…
The Orphan Drug Act was passed by the U.S. Congress
On Jan. 3, 1983, the Orphan Drug Act was passed by the U.S. Congress with the leadership of…
Biotechnology | Diagnostics | Disease | NIH
The Division of Resources, Centers and Community Activities was renamed the Division of Cancer Prevention and Control
In 1983, the National Cancer Institute’s Division of Resources, Centers and Community Activities was renamed the Division of…
Huntington’s disease genetic marker discovered
In 1983, a team of researchers, led by Dr. James Gusella from Harvard Medical School, announced they had…
Biotechnology | Diagnostics | Disease | NIH | Oncology | Radiology | Therapeutics | Women's Health
The Meyer L Prentis Comprehensive Cancer Center of Metropolitan Detroit received NCI-designation
In 1983, The Meyer L. Prentis Comprehensive Cancer Center of Metropolitan Detroit now known as the Karmanos Cancer…
Dr. Tak Wah Mak co-discovered the T-cell receptor and the gene that produces it
In 1983, Dr. Tak Wah Mak co-discovered the T-cell receptor and the gene that produces it. Dr. Mak…
Amgen scientists isolated the gene that created erythropoietin (EPO)
In 1983, Amgen scientists, led by by Fu-Kuen Lin, isolated the gene that creates EPO and filed a…
Biotechnology | Diagnostics | Disease | Oncology | Radiology | Therapeutics
The Cancer Control Science program was established
In 1983, the National Cancer Institute formed the Division of Cancer Prevention and Control to accelerate the science…
Additive solutions were shown to extend the shelf life of red blood cells to 42 days
In 1983, additive solutions were shown to extend the shelf life of red blood cells (RBC) to 42…
A University of Utah team successfully implanted the Jarvik-7 into Seattle dentist Barney Clark
On Dec. 2, 1982, a team led by William DeVries, at the University of Utah, successfully implanted the…
Biotechnology | Disease | FDA | Therapeutics
The first biotech drug, human insulin produced in genetically modified bacteria, was approved by FDA
On Oct. 28, 1982, after only 5 months of review, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved…