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…
Gladstone Institutes was founded
In 1979, the Gladstone Institutes was founded from an endowment from J. David Gladstone, a self-made man who…
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…
Medtronic established a Heart Valves division
In 1979, Medtronic established a Heart Valves division and introduced the Medtronic Hall mechanical heart valve. This prosthetic…
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 | FDA | 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 (FDA) approved cisplatin (Platinol) for use in combination…
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…
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…
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 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…
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…
Johnsonﾠ &ﾠ Johnson announced plans to build new World Headquarters in New Brunswick, New Jersey
In 1978, Johnsonﾠ & ﾠJohnson announced plans to build their new World Headquarters in New Brunswick, New Jersey….
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…
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…
Dr. Jack Costello first identified a genetic disorder, now known as Costello syndrome
In 1977, Dr. Jack Costello, a geneticist in New Zealand, first identified a genetic disorder, now known as…
Multiple research programs at the Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation drawn together into the Research Institute of Scripps Clinic
In 1977, the multiple research programs that had developed were formally drawn together into the Research Institute of…
Charles C. Edwards was named president and CEO of Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation
In 1977, Charles C. Edwards, formerly the nation’s top government health official, was named president and CEO of…
The Stanford Research Institute changed its name to SRI International
In 1977, Stanford Research Institute changed its name to SRI International. Stanford Research Institute, now known as the…
The original Naval Medical Center tower was designated a historical landmark
In 1977, the original Naval Medical Center tower was designated a historical landmark and entered into the Registry…
Genentech was founded
On Apr. 7, 1976, Genentech was founded by venture capitalist Robert Swanson and biochemist Dr. Herbert Boyer. In…
Insulin resistance receptors was discovered
On Apr. 1, 1976, physician and scientist C. Ronald Kahn from Harvard University announced he had discovered alterations…
The American Liver Foundation was created by the American Association for the Study of Liver Disease
In 1976, the American Liver Foundation (ALF) was created as a 501(c)3 nonprofit by the American Association for…
CDC | Disease | Energy | Environmental | EPA | Life Science History | Neurology
The CDC revealed blood lead levels related to gasoline exposure, leading to fuel changes by the EPA
In 1976, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Environmental Services Division revealed blood lead levels…
Biology | Chemical | Disease | Life Science History | Neurology | Oncology | Therapeutics
Bristol-Myers introduced CEENU (lomustine), a chemotherapy product for brain cancer and Hodgkins lymphoma
In 1976, Bristol-Myers introduced CEENU (lomustine), a chemotherapy product for brain cancer and Hodgkins lymphoma. Lomustine is an…
Biotechnology | Diagnostics | Disease | Forestry | Non-Profit Research | Oncology | Therapeutics | Women's Health
Albert Einstein Cancer Center researchers identified the mechanism of action of Taxol
In 1976, Albert Einstein Cancer Center researchers identified the mechanism of action of Taxol, one of the most…
Golden Fleece Award Established by Senator William Proxmire
On March 11, 1975, Senator William Proxmire, a Democrat from Wisconsin, initiated the Golden Fleece Awards to spotlight…