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…
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…
Biology | Diagnostics | Disease | 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 approved Cisplatin for use in testicular and ovarian…
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…
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…
The first test-tube baby was born in the United Kingdom
On Jul. 25, 1978, the first test-tube baby was born in the United Kingdom. Louise Joy Brown is…
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…
The CDC reported the first drug-resistant tuberculosis outbreak
In May 1978, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported a patient was first diagnosed…
The Cancer Center of Metropolitan Detroit was established
In 1978, The Karmanos Cancer Institute (KCI), a not-for-profit, NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center was founded in metropolitan Detroit….
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 FDA approved cisplatin (Platinol) for use in combination with other drugs in the treatment of metastatic testicular and metastatic ovarian cancer
In 1978, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved cisplatin (Platinol) for use in combination with other…
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…
UC-Berkeley scientist Choh Hao Li discovered Beta-endorphin, a substance produced in the brain that acts as a pain killer
In 1978, University of California, Berkeley (UC-Berkeley) scientist Choh Hao Li discovers Beta-endorphin, a substance produced in the…
Hybritech was founded in San Diego
In 1978, Hybritech was founded by cancer researcher Ivor Royston and lab technician Howard Birndorf of the University…
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…
The CDC held its first international conference on Legionnaires’ disease
In 1978, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) held its first international conference on Legionnaires’…
Biology | CDC | Diagnostics | Infectious Disease | Life Science History | NIH | Plague | Therapeutics | Vaccine
The CDC opened an expanded maximum containment lab (hot lab) for highly dangerous viruses
In 1978, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) completed construction of a new hot lab…
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…
The Carbone Cancer Center Clinical Sciences Center was completed
In 1978, the Carbone Cancer Center Clinical Sciences Center was completed in January adding over 70,000 square feet…
UK Markey Cancer Foundation established
In 1978, the University of Kentucky (UK) Markey Cancer Foundation, previously the Ephraim McDowell Cancer Research Foundation, was…
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…
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…