Deinococcus radiodurans was first reported
In 1956, Deinococcus (Micrococcus) radiodurans strain R1 (ATCC BAA-816), the most radiation-resistant organisms yet discovered, was first reported…
The University of Tennessee Medical Center was established
In 1956, The University of Tennessee Medical Center was established with a mission of healing, education and discovery.
Deseret Pharmaceutical was founded as Utah’s first manufacturer of disposable medical devices
In 1956, Deseret Pharmaceutical Co. founded by Dale Ballard, James L. Sorenson and Victor Cartwright, created a disposable…
University of Alberta heart surgeon James Callaghan performed first open-heart surgery in Canada
In 1956, University of Alberta heart surgeon James Callaghan performed first open-heart surgery in Canada. He also co-created…
Dr. Robert Blackwell Smith became the fourth and last president of the Medical College of Virginia
In 1956, Dr. Robert Blackwell Smith became the fourth and last president of the Medical College of Virginia.
Dr. David Hume, a pioneer transplant surgeon, was appointed chairman and professor of surgery at the Medical College of Virginia
In 1956, Dr. David Hume, a pioneer transplant surgeon, was appointed chairman and professor of surgery at The…
The Scripps Metabolic Clinic was renamed the Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation
In 1956, the Scripps Metabolic Clinic was renamed the Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation to reflect the broader…
The E G Williams Hospital at the Medical College of Virginia opened in two phases from 1956-58
In 1956, The E. G. Williams Hospital opened in two phases from 1956-58.
Drs. Edmond Fischer and Edwin Krebs submitted for publication a description of reversible protein phosphorylation
On Nov. 10. 1955, Dr. Edmond Fisher and Dr. Edwin Krebs of University of Washington’s School of Medicine…
Biology | Diagnostics | Disease | Life Science History | Medicine | Non-Profit Research | Therapeutics
The first class of the new Albert Einstein College of Medicine started
On Sept. 12, 1955, the first class at new Albert Einstein College of Medicine began with 3 men…
FDA hired temporary investigators to prevent polio vaccine black market
On Aug. 17, 1955, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the hiring of 48 temporary investigators…
Agriculture | Biology | Environmental | EPA | Forestry | Life Science History | USDA
USDA Forest Service Spayed DDT to Control spruce budworm in Oregon Forest
In Jul. 1955, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) sprayed DDT as…
Officials discover polio cases after vaccine produced by Cutter Laboratories accidently contained live virus
On Apr. 26, 1955, Officials first noticed an increase in reported polio cases in California. Soon it was…
Salk polio vaccine was announced
On Apr. 12, 1955, the polio vaccine developed by Dr. Jonas Salk at the University of Pittsburgh was…
Convocation held at the University of Michigan proclaimed “The Vaccine Works!”
On Apr. 12, 1955, a convocation was held at the University of Michigan (UM), where Dr. Thomas Francis…
The National Cancer Institute’s Cancer Chemotherapy National Service Center was established
On Apr. 1, 1955, the National Cancer Institute’s Cancer Chemotherapy National Service Center was established in the institute…
The Cutter Incident, a production error, caused some polio vaccine to be tainted with live polio virus
In April 1955, Cutter Laboratories, located in Berkeley, California and one of several companies licensed by the U.S….
The first Citizens Advisory Committee held a meeting in Washington, DC
On Feb. 3, 1955, the first Citizens Advisory Committee met in Washington, D.C. to assess the effectiveness of…
Simian virus 40 accidentally administered to humans through contaminated Poliovirus vaccines
From 1955 through early 1963, millions of people were accidentally exposed to simian virus 40 (SV40) as a…
Roy Hertz and Min Chiu Li achieve total cure of a human solid tumor
In 1955, Drs. Roy Hertz and Min Chiu Li discovered that the same methotrexate treatment alone could cure…
Hoffmann-La Roche Research Laboratories, Squibb Institute for Medical Research jointly received the Lasker Award award
In 1955, Edward Robitzek, Irving Selikoff, Walsh McDermott and Carl Muschenheim, The Hoffmann-La Roche Research Laboratories, Squibb Institute…
The National Cancer Institute’s Clinical Trials Cooperative Group Program was established
In 1955, the NCIﾒs Cooperative Group Program for clinical research was established in 1955 and has grown to…
Canada contributed to the safe cultivation of the poliovirus for polio vaccine
In 1955, Canada contributed to the safe cultivation of the poliovirus, using Medium 199, and an incubation process…
Frank Dixon was recruited to La Jolla from Minnesota with four other young scientists, forming the core of what would later become The Scripps Research Institute
In 1955, The Scripps Research Institute’s modern beginnings date to the establishment of Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation,…
Biology | Diagnostics | Life Science History | NIH | Polio | Vaccine
The Division of Biologics Control became an independent entity within the National Institutes of Health
In 1955, the Division of Biologics Control (DBS) became an independent entity within the National Institutes of Health…
The Medical College of Virginia graduated its first African-American student, Jean Harris
In 1955, new doors were opened as the Medical College of Virginia graduated its first African-American student, Jean…
FDA | Life Science History | NIH | Polio | U.S. Congress
HEW Secretary Oveta Culp Hobby appointed a committee of 14 citizens to study the adequacy of FDA’s facilities and programs
In 1955, Oveta Culp Hobby, the first Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW) appointed a committee of…
Hydroxychloroquine was approved for medical use in the United States
In 1955, Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) was approved for medical use in the U.S. Chloroquine was discovered in 1934 by…
The Polio Vaccination Assistance Act was enacted by U.S. Congress
In 1955, the Polio Vaccination Assistance Act was enacted by the U.S. Congress, the first federal involvement in…