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…
Jarvik 7 artificial heart helped save Arizona man
On Aug. 29, 1985, Michael Drummond became the sixth person, and the youngest at the age of twenty-five,…
Swedish biologist Svante Paabo analzyed ancient DNA in Egyptian mummies
On Apr. 16, 1985, Swedish biologist Svante Paabo of University of Uppsala in Sweden, a pioneer of ancient…
Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) polysaccharide vaccines were licensed
On Apr. 12, 1985, the Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) polysaccharide vaccines (b-CAPSA 1 by Praxis Biologics, Hib-VAX…
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The CDC co-sponsored the first International Conference on AIDS
In Apr. 15, 1985, the first International AIDS conference, held in Atlanta, Georgia, was organized by the WHO,…
The Normal School (Arizona State University) was founded
On Mar. 12, 1885, Arizona State University (ASU), located in Phoenix, was founded by House Bill 164 in…
The USDA’s Germplasm Resources Information Network went on-line
In 1985, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN), the remnant of the effort…
Federal courts ruled private companies don’t need NIH permission to field test genetically engineered organisms
In 1985, Federal courts ruled that private companies don’t need National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) permission for field…
Mikhail Gorbachev, an agricultural specialist, became Soviet leader after the death of Konstantin Chernenko
In 1985, an agricultural specialist with no experience in foreign affairs, Mikhail Gorbachev, becomes Soviet leader after the…
Telomerase discovered by graduate students
In 1985, telomerase was discovered by University of California, Berkeley graduate student Carol Greider, as well as Elzabeth…
The Office of Biotechnology was established at Iowa State University
In 1984, the Office of Biotechnology was established at Iowa State University (ISU). Today, ISU’s Office of Biotechnology…
Stﾠ. Jude Children’s Hospital launched the After Completion of Therapy Clinic
In 1984, St. ﾠJude Children’s Hospital launched the After Completion of Therapy Clinic, the world’s largest long-term follow-up…
University of Nebraska Medical Center performed their first bone marrow transplant
On Apr. 1, 1983, the University of Nebraska Medical Center performed their first bone marrow transplant. The program…
Computerized tomography of the colon (virtual colonoscopy) was proposed as a screening method to identify colon polyps and colorectal cancer
In 1983, Computerized tomography of the colon (virtual colonoscopy) was proposed as a screening method to identify colon…
Bristol-Myers marketed VEPESID (etoposide) for cancer
In 1983, Bristol-Myers marketed VEPESID (etoposide) for cancer.
Amgen scientists isolated the gene that created erythropoietin (EPO)
In 1983, Amgen scientists isolated the gene that creates EPO and filed a patent. Pioneering studies on erythropoietin…
The polymerase chain reaction technique (PCR) was introduced
In 1983, Kary Mullis, PhD, a scientist at the Cetus Corp., conceived of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) as…
The CDC published infection control recommendation for AIDS for clinical and laboratory staff
On Nov. 5, 1982, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published infection control recommendation for…
The CDC reported 413 cases of the new HIV disease in the US with 155 deaths
On Jul. 15, 1982, The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 413 cases of the…
Persuasive evidence that the HIV disease was caused by an infectious agent was presented at a meeting in New York
On Jun. 30, 1982, persuasive evidence that the HIV disease was caused by an infectious agent was presented…
The Medical College of Virginia Main Hospital opened
In 1982, the Medical College of Virginia main hospital opened, a modern, 14-story, 539-bed facility costing in excess…
The U.S. General Accounting Office released a scathing report on the National Plant Germplasm System
On Dec. 4, 1981, the U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO) released a report on the National Plant Germplasm…
FDA approved vinblastine, a drug that binds to tubulin, a key player in cell division
On Jul. 2, 1981, the FDA approved vinblastine, a drug that binds to tubulin, the protein building block…
The Department of Health and Human Services assigned implementation of the U.S. Superfund Act to CDC
In July 1981, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services assigned implementation of the Superfund Act to…
Gene synthesizing machines were developed
In May 1981, Applied Biosystems was founded by Hewlett Packard engineers Sam Eletr, their first CEO, and Andre…
A new Biological Response Modifiers Program was established in the Division of Cancer Treatment
On Apr. 27, 1981, a new Biological Response Modifiers Program was established in the Division of Cancer Treatment…
Simian acquired immune deficiency syndrome (simian AIDS) was identified in macaques in two of NIH’s Regional Primate Centers
In 1981, Simian acquired immune deficiency syndrome (simian AIDS) was identified in macaques in two of National Institutes…
Dr. Roseli Ocampo-Friedmann received the U.S. Congressional Antarctic Service Medal for her work on microorganisms
In 1981, Filipino and American scientist Dr. Roseli Ocampo-Friedmann received the U.S. Congressional Antarctic Service Medal for her…
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Bayh-Dole Act passed the U.S. congress allowing universities to patent discoveries made in federally supported laboratories
On Dec. 12, 1980, a bill to amend title 35 of the United States Code (H.R.6933, Public Law:…