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2024-09-22 08:20:01

Gertrude B. Elion

American biochemist and pharmacologist
American biochemist and pharmacologist

Gertrude B. Elion, a Nobel Prize winner, revolutionized drug design by focusing on drug targets. She developed AZT for AIDS, azathioprine for organ transplants, and acyclovir for herpes.

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1903-01
Influence of Gertrude Elion's Mother

Gertrude Elion's mother, a housewife with no higher education, greatly influenced her by being supportive of her career aspirations, which was uncommon for women of her generation.

1918-01-23
Birth of Gertrude Elion

Gertrude Elion, a renowned chemist, was born on January 23, 1918. She made significant contributions to the field of medicine and was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1988.

1924-01
Moved to the Bronx and a New Brother

In January 1924, Gertrude Belle Elion moved to the Bronx and gained a new brother.

1929
Father's Losses in Stock Market Crash

Gertrude Elion's father experienced losses in the 1929 stock market crash, impacting the family's financial situation. Despite this, Gertrude was able to continue her education.

1933-01-01
Death of Elion's Grandfather

On January 1, 1933, Gertrude B. Elion experienced the loss of her grandfather. This event may have had a significant impact on her personal life and family dynamics.

1937
Gertrude Elion Graduates Summa Cum Laude

In 1937, Gertrude Elion graduated summa cum laude from college. Despite her academic achievements, she faced gender discrimination when looking for a job during the Great Depression.

1939
Gertrude Elion Hired by Dr. George Hitchings

In 1939, Gertrude Elion was hired by Dr. George Hitchings to work in the biochemistry department at Burroughs-Wellcome. Despite the small laboratory and limited staff, Elion impressed Hitchings with her qualifications and was offered the job.

1941-06-25
Death of Leonard Canter

Leonard Canter, Elion's planned husband, passed away on June 25, 1941, due to bacterial endocarditis. His death further motivated Elion to pursue a career in research science and pharmacology.

1943
Gertrude Elion works in food analysis for A&P grocery chain

In 1943, Gertrude Elion transitioned to working in food analysis for the A&P grocery chain, where she conducted tasks such as measuring the acidity of pickles and the color of mayonnaise. This experience provided her with valuable knowledge in instrumentation.

1944-01-01
Started Working at Burroughs Wellcome

In 1944, Gertrude B. Elion began her employment at Burroughs Wellcome, where she worked under the supervision of George H. Hitchings.

1946
Gertrude B. Elion Leaves Ph.D. Program at Brooklyn Polytechnic

In 1946, Gertrude B. Elion had to discontinue her doctoral studies at Brooklyn Polytechnic due to conflicting demands between her education and job responsibilities. This decision shaped her career path in pharmaceutical research.

1948
Development of anti-cancer drugs thioguanine and purinethol

In 1948, Gertrude Elion and Dr. George Hitchings worked together in the laboratory at Burroughs-Wellcome to develop anti-cancer drugs. They used a new method of imitating natural compounds to target cancer cells without harming normal cells, leading to the creation of thioguanine and purinethol in 1950.

1950
Development of Anti-Cancer Drugs

In 1950, Gertrude B. Elion developed the anti-cancer drugs tioguanine and mercaptopurine, revolutionizing cancer treatment and saving countless lives.

1951
Discovery of 6-Mercaptopurine (6-MP)

In 1951, Gertrude B. Elion substituted an oxygen atom with a sulfur atom on a purine molecule, creating 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP), which was used to treat leukemia. She later found that combining 6-MP with other drugs was more effective in treating childhood leukemia.

1955
The Synthesis of 6-Thioguanine

In 1955, Gertrude Elion collaborated with George H. Hitchings on the synthesis of 6-Thioguanine, published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society.

1963
Discovery of Azathioprine

Gertrude B. Elion discovered azathioprine, a medication that suppresses the immune system's rejection of foreign tissue, making kidney transplants between unrelated donors possible. This discovery has benefited more than half a million people worldwide.

1967
Head of the Department of Experimental Therapy at Burroughs Wellcome

In 1967, Gertrude B. Elion was named Head of the Department of Experimental Therapy at Burroughs Wellcome, where her explorations expanded to encompass various fields including biochemistry, pharmacology, immunology, and virology.

1968
Gertrude B. Elion Receives Garvan Medal

In 1968, Gertrude B. Elion was awarded the prestigious Garvan Medal by the American Chemical Society. This recognition highlighted her exceptional achievements in the field of chemistry.

1970-01-01
Continuation of Career at Burroughs Wellcome

In 1970, Gertrude B. Elion continued her career at Burroughs Wellcome, showcasing her dedication to pharmaceutical research and development.

1973
Discovery of the activity of acyclovir

In 1973, the activity of acyclovir was discovered, leading to the development of the antiviral drug. This discovery was a significant milestone in the field of medicine.

1974
Discovery of the mechanism of acyclovir

Around 1974, the mechanism of acyclovir was discovered, further advancing the understanding of how the drug worked. This breakthrough contributed to the development of effective antiviral treatments.

1975
Contribution to Cancer Chemotherapy

Gertrude B. Elion's work on the 'Interaction of Anticancer Drugs with Enzymes' was featured in the book 'Pharmacological Basis of Cancer Chemotherapy' in 1975. Her research in this area has had a significant impact on the field of oncology.

1977
Selectivity of Action of an Antiherpetic Agent, 9-(2-hydroxyethoxymethyl) guanine

Gertrude Elion's work on the selectivity of action of an antiherpetic agent was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in 1977.

1981
Connection between research on viruses and first successful treatment of AIDS

The research on viruses, including the work on antiviral drugs like acyclovir, played a crucial role in the development of the first successful treatment for AIDS in 1981. This breakthrough marked a significant advancement in the fight against the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

1983-01-01
Gertrude B. Elion Retires From Burroughs Wellcome

On January 1, 1983, Gertrude B. Elion retired from Burroughs Wellcome, a significant event in her career after years of groundbreaking work in pharmaceutical research.

1984
Death of Wife Inspires Search for Cure

A person was already searching for a cure, but the death of his wife from the same disease pushed him to work even harder towards finding a cure.

1985
Development of AIDS drug

Around 1985, the first successful treatment against AIDS was developed by a group of researchers who had previously worked on acyclovir. The research on viral treatments became a major focus, leading to the discovery of an active compound for the AIDS virus within a short period of about two years.

1987
Development of AZT

In 1987, Gertrude Elion's lab created AZT, a groundbreaking treatment for AIDS, based on her contributions.

1988-10-10
Gertrude Elion Wins Nobel Prize in Medicine

Gertrude Elion was informed about winning the Nobel Prize in Medicine through a phone call from a reporter early in the morning. Initially, she thought it was a joke but later confirmed the news. She shared the Nobel Prize with Dr. Hitchings and Sir James Black.

1989
Gertrude Elion Inducted

Gertrude Elion was inducted in 1989 for her remarkable career and achievements in the field of science and medicine.

1990
American Cancer Society Medal of Honor

In 1990, Gertrude Elion received the American Cancer Society Medal of Honor for her remarkable contributions to the fight against cancer.

1991-03-06
Gertrude Elion Wins Nobel Prize for Medicine

Despite facing discrimination as a woman in the field of chemistry, Gertrude Elion persevered and made groundbreaking discoveries in medicine. Her work at Burroughs Wellcome led to the development of drugs that treated leukemia, enabled kidney transplants, and produced the first successful anti-viral medication, acyclovir. In 1991, she was awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine for her contributions.

1993
Gertrude Elion wins Nobel Prize

In 1993, Gertrude Elion was awarded the Nobel Prize for her significant contributions in the field of science, marking a pivotal moment in her career.

1997
Gertrude Elion Receives Lemelson-MIT Lifetime Achievement Award

In 1997, Gertrude Elion was presented with the Lemelson-MIT Lifetime Achievement Award, acknowledging her remarkable contributions to the field of science and innovation. This award celebrated her enduring impact on the scientific community.

1998
Gertrude Elion Receives Honorary Doctorates

In 1998, Gertrude Elion received ten honorary doctorates, including one from Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute. This recognition was a testament to her remarkable contributions to the field of medicine and science.

1999-02-21
Death of Gertrude Elion

Gertrude Elion, the Nobel Prize-winning chemist, passed away on February 21, 1999. Her groundbreaking work in medicine continues to impact the field to this day.

1999-02-22
Death of Gertrude B. Elion

Gertrude B. Elion passed away on February 22, 1999. She left behind a legacy of great contributions to the field of science, particularly in medicine.

2022-02-16
Gertrude Elion's Love for Opera

Gertrude Elion expressed her admiration for opera, mentioning her desire to be an opera singer despite having a monotone voice. She highlighted the emotional depth created by the combination of music and drama in opera performances.

End of the Timeline
Gertrude B. Elion
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