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George Otto Gey
Dr. George Gey establishes a continuous cell line taken from a human cervical carcinoma isolated from Henrietta Lacks, who died of the cancer in 1951. This cell line, containing HeLa cells, is commonly used in medical research. -
Dr. James Watson
Dr. James Watson and Dr. Francis Crick reveal the 3-D structure of DNA. -
Dr. Joseph Murray
Dr. Joseph Murray performs the first kidney transplant between identical twins. -
Dr. Jonas Salk
An enzyme, DNA polymerase, involved in the synthesis of a nucleic acid, is isolated for the first time. Dr. Jonas Salk develops the first polio vaccine. The development marks the first use of mammalian cells (monkey kidney cells) and the first application of cell culture technology to generate a vaccine. -
Scientists
Scientists prove that sickle-cell anemia occurs due to a change in a single amino acid in hemoglobin cells. -
Dr. Arthur Kornberg
Dr. Arthur Kornberg of Washington University in St. Louis makes DNA in a test tube for the first time. The first automatic protein sequencer, the Moore-Stein amino acid analyzer, is developed. -
French Scientists
French scientists discover messenger RNA (mRNA). -
Scientists
Scientists understand genetic code for the first time. -
Dr. Osamu Shimomura
Dr. Osamu Shimomura discovers the green fluorescent protein in the jellyfish Aequorea victoria. He later develops it into a tool for observing previously invisible cellular processes. -
Dr. Samuel Katz & Dr. John F. Enders
Independent groups in the United States, Germany and China synthesize insulin, a pancreatic hormone. Dr. Samuel Katz and Dr. John F. Enders develop the first vaccine for measles. -
Transcriptase
The existence of reverse transcriptase is predicted. -
Dr. Maurice Hilleman
Dr. Maurice Hilleman develops the first American vaccine for mumps. -
First Vaccine
The first vaccine for rubella is developed. It is combined with the measles and mumps vaccines to form the measles/mumps/rubella vaccine in 1971. -
Dr. Har Gobind Khorana
Restriction enzymes are discovered. These enzymes cut DNA into pieces and are used for various studies and applications. The restriction enzyme technique becomes a fundamental tool in modern genetic research and opens the way for gene cloning. Dr. Har Gobind Khorana synthesizes the first complete gene at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. -
DNA ligase
DNA ligase, which links DNA fragments together, is used for the first time. The DNA composition of humans is discovered to be 99 percent similar to that of chimpanzees and gorillas. The purified enzyme reverse transcriptase is first used to synthesize complementary DNA from purified messenger RNA in a test tube. -
Dr. Stanley Cohen & Dr. Herbert Boyer
Dr. Stanley Cohen and Dr. Herbert Boyer use bacterial genes to perform the first successful recombinant DNA experiment, which inserted a recombinant DNA molecule into a cell for replication. Dr. Edwin Southern develops a blotting technique for DNA called the Southern blot. It becomes a seminal technology for studying the structure of DNA. -
NIH
The U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) forms a Recombinant DNA Advisory Committee to oversee recombinant genetic research. The first vaccine for chicken pox is developed in Japan. -
Dr. César Milstein, Dr. Georges Kohler & Dr. Niels Jerne
Colony hybridization and Southern blotting are developed for detecting specific DNA sequences. The first monoclonal antibodies are produced. Dr. César Milstein, Dr. Georges Kohler and Dr. Niels Jerne develop monoclonal antibody technology by fusing immortal tumor cells with antibody-producing B-lymphocyte cells to produce hybridomas that continuously synthesize identical (or monoclonal) antibodies. -
E coli
The NIH releases the first guidelines for recombinant DNA research. Molecular hybridization is used for the prenatal diagnosis of alpha thalassemia. Yeast genes are expressed in E coli bacteria. -
Dr. Robert Austrian
Protocols are developed to rapidly sequence long sections of DNA. Genetically engineered bacteria are used to synthesize the human growth protein somatostatin, marking the first time a synthetic recombinant gene is used to clone a protein. Many consider this to be the advent of the Age of Biotechnology. Dr. Robert Austrian of the University of Pennsylvania develops the first vaccine for pneumonia. -
Dr. Herbert Boyer
Dr. Herbert Boyer of the University of California, San Francisco, constructs a synthetic version of the human insulin gene and inserts it into the bacterium E coli, allowing the bacterium to produce human insulin. The first test-tube baby, Louise Brown, is born in the United Kingdom. The first vaccine for meningococcal meningitis is developed. -
U.S. Supreme Court
The U.S. Supreme Court rules genetically altered life forms can be patented, opening up enormous possibilities for commercially exploiting genetic engineering. Dr. Stanley Cohen and Dr. Herbert Boyer receive a U.S. patent for gene cloning. The first automatic gene machine, or gene synthesizing machine, is developed in California. Founding of Amgen, which will grow to become the world’s largest biotechnology medicines company. -
Dr. Baruch Blumberg & Dr. Irving Millman
Dr. Baruch Blumberg and Dr. Irving Millman develop the first vaccine for hepatitis B (not recombinant). Scientists in Switzerland clone mice. The first transgenic animals are produced by transferring genes from other animals into mice. -
FDA
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves the first biologic or recombinant protein. -
Dr. Luc Montagnier & Dr. Kary Banks Mullis
Dr. Luc Montagnier of the Pasteur Institute in Paris isolates the AIDS virus. Dr. Kary Banks Mullis invents the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), a technique for multiplying DNA sequences. PCR is recognized as the most revolutionary molecular biology technique of the 1980s. The FDA approves a monoclonal antibody based diagnostic test to detect Chlamydia trachomatis. The first artificial chromosome is synthesized. The first genetic markers for specific inherited diseases are found. -
DNA fingerprinting technique
The DNA fingerprinting technique is developed. When a restrictive enzyme is applied to DNA from different individuals, the resulting sets of fragments sometimes differ markedly from one person to the next. Such variations in DNA are called restriction fragment length polymorphisms and are extremely useful in genetic studies. The first genetically engineered vaccine is developed for hepatitis B. The entire genome of the HIV virus is cloned and sequenced. -
Genentech
Genetic fingerprinting enters the courtroom. Genentech becomes the first biotechnology company to launch its own biopharmaceutical product. Genetically engineered plants resistant to insects, viruses and bacteria are field-tested for the first time. Cloning of the gene that encodes human lung surfactant protein is accomplished. This is a major step toward reducing premature birth complications. The NIH approves guidelines for performing experiments in gene therapy on humans. -
Dr. Peter Schultz
University of California, Berkeley, chemist Dr. Peter Schultz describes how to combine antibodies and enzymes (abzymes) to create therapeutics. The FDA approves the first monoclonal antibody treatment to fight kidney transplant rejection. The FDA approves first biotech-derived interferon drugs to treat cancer. In 1988, the drugs are used to treat Kaposi’s sarcoma, a complication of AIDS. The FDA approves the first genetically engineered human vaccine to prevent hepatitis B. -
Dr. Maynard Olson and colleagues at Washington University
The FDA approves a genetically engineered tissue plasminogen activator to treat heart attacks. Dr. Maynard Olson and colleagues at Washington University invent yeast artificial chromosomes, which are expression vectors for large proteins. DNA microarray technology, the use of a collection of distinct DNAs in arrays for expression profiling, is first described.The FDA approves a diagnostic serum tumor marker test for ovarian cancer. -
Congress
Congress funds the Human Genome Project, a massive effort to map and sequence the human genetic code as well as the genomes of other species. The first agreement between two companies with parallel patents for cross-licensing of biotech products occurs and becomes the prototype. -
Amgen
The FDA approves Amgen’s first biologically derived human therapeutic. Oil-eating bacteria are used to clean up the Exxon Valdez oil spill. A gene responsible for cystic fibrosis is discovered. -
Dr. J. Craig Venter
Chemists in Japan create the first DNA molecule made almost entirely of artificial parts. The discovery can be used in the fields of gene therapy. Dr. J. Craig Venter and his team replicate a bacterium's genetic structure entirely from laboratory chemicals, moving a step closer toward creating the world's first living artificial organism. -
President Barrack Obama
U.S. President Barack Obama signs executive order freeing up federal funding for broader research on embryonic stem cells. Researchers identify three new genes associated with Alzheimer's disease, paving the way for potential new diagnostics and therapeutics. Geron initiates the first FDA approved clinical trial using embryonic stem cells. -
Dr. J. Craig Venter
Dr. J.Craig Venter announces completion of "synthetic life" transplanting synthetic genome capable of self-replication into a recipient bacterial cell. ReNeuron initiates clinical trial using a genetically engineered neural stem cell line to treat stroke victims. FDA approves a personalized prostate cancer medicine that boosts a patient's immune cells to recognize and attack the cancer cells. The FDA approves an osteoporosis treatment that is one of the first medicines based on genomic studies. -
Trachea
Trachea derived from stem cells transplanted into human recipient. Advances in 3-D printing technology lead to “skin-printing”. Advances in next generation sequencing enable human whole genome sequencing in less than one week for under $2,000. FDA approves the first cord blood therapy to be used in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation procedures in patients with disorders affecting the hematopoietic (blood forming) system. -
FDA
FDA issues draft rules for biosimilar drugs.
