The Toronto Medical Historical Club and the Department of Molecular Genetics of the University of Toronto paid tribute to Dr. Louis Siminovitch in honour of his 100th birthday. Colleagues, friends, and family shared fond memories and spoke to the highlights of his illustrious career in genetics.
J.B. Collip and the discovery of insulin
J.B. Collip [UT Insulin collection]
On May 19, 2021, Alison Li spoke at a symposium (via Zoom) to be held by the McGill University Division of Endocrinology to commemorate the discovery of insulin. She focussed on the role of J.B. Collip in the coming of insulin and his contribution to the flourishing of endocrine research at McGill during the 1930s and 40s.
On June 16, 2021, she participated in 100 Years of Insulin, a half-day seminar held by the Alberta Diabetes Institute to celebrate the anniversary. The talk highlighted the connection of Collip’s experiences at the University of Alberta to his contributions to the insulin research. This half-day seminar included talks by several speakers including Ray Rajotte and James Shapiro of the team that developed the “Edmonton Protocol” for islet transplantation.
Her article “Success Has Many Parents: J. B. Collip’s Role in the Discovery of Insulin” appears on the Defining Moments Canada website.
Leone Norwood Farrell and the Salk Vaccine
Dr. Leone Farrell, c. 1950s (courtesy Sanofi Pasteur Canada Archives, Connaught Campus)
Christopher Rutty has written an entry for the The Canadian Encyclopedia on the biochemist and microbiologist, Leone Norwood Farrell. Farrell was a pioneer in vaccine development. Her “Toronto Method” made possible the large-scale production of the Salk Vaccine for polio
Manufacturing Hope
Teddy Ryder, a five-year-old American boy, was among the first to receive insulin treatments in 1922. On the left, he is seen weighing only twenty-seven pounds prior to treatment. A year after his treatment in Toronto, he is seen at right weighing forty-five pounds. Insulin Library Toronto P10037/P10139
Canada Post unveils Insulin, 1921-2021 commemorative stamp
Canada Post has unveiled a commemorative stamp celebrating the 100th anniversary of the discovery of insulin by Frederick Banting, Charles Best, James Collip and John Macleod at the University of Toronto. The ground-breaking discovery of insulin put Canada, Canadian researchers, and the University of Toronto’s medical school on the world stage. The stamp goes on sale April 15, available at select post offices and online at canadapost.ca