Revolutions in Research: 50 Years of Scientific Discoveries

While the scientific method remains simple and stable, the findings it generates continue to proliferate and complexify with every decade. Some of the things we take for granted today or give little thought represent revolutionary, life-changing breakthroughs at the time of their invention or discovery. With this in mind, we offer a brief tour through five decades of scientific achievement.

1960’s

In 1960, the “pill” is introduced. As the first FDA approved oral contraceptive is made available and is increasingly legitimized as the Women’s Movement unfolds, the social impacts of this technology are still being felt today.

In 1962, quasars (quasi-stellar radio source) are discovered by Dutch astronomer Maarten Schmidt. Scientists conclude that quasars are compact regions in the center of active galaxies that indicate the presence of a supermassive black hole.

In 1967, Dr. Christiaan Barnard performs the first human-to-human heart transplant operation in South Africa, paving the way for progress in transplant techniques.  Two years later, Denton Cooley and Domingo Liotta implant the first artificial heart.

1970’s

In 1970, cancer-causing genes are first discovered in a chicken retrovirus. In 1976, J. Michael Bishop and Harold Varmus articulate the mechanism by which proto-oncogenes mutate and spawn cancer, a discovery which earns them the Nobel Prize in 1989.

In 1974, paleoanthropologist, Donald Johanson discovers “Lucy,” the 3.2 million-year-old fossil skeleton of a human ancestor in Ethiopia. The find constitutes the most significant milestone in a long line of hominid discoveries.

In 1978, The first “test tube” baby is born. The new technology of in-vitro fertilization is celebrated by couples struggling with fertility issues, and since its introduction, approximately 3.5 million “test-tube babies” have been brought to term using assisted reproductive technology.

1980’s

In 1983, French doctors identify and isolate the HIV virus that causes AIDS. The discovery of the human immunodeficiency virus heralded the beginning of ongoing efforts to develop treatments for a disease that at time was a virtual death sentence.

In 1984, DNA decoders arrive on the scene with polymerase chain reaction technique as developed by Kary Mullis, who wins a Nobel Prize in 1993 for his discovery. PCR analysis is the foundation of contemporary genetic research, spanning fields from medicine and evolutionary biology to criminology.

In 1985, nanotechnology is introduced when the omni-triangular shaped Buckminsterfullerene is created in the lab by Robert Curl, Harold Kroto and Richard Smalley. The first of several artificial carbon constructs, it opened the scientific floodgates for the medical technology of today.

1990’s

In 1996, researchers break new ground with the birth of Dolly the sheep, the first successfully cloned mammal from the adult cell of another animal, launched ethical debates over the possibility of human cloning.

In 1998, the field of RNA interference is born when biomedical researchers Andrew Fire and Craig Mello publish a study demonstrating how small RNA molecules influence genetic pathways. Today, RNA therapies are used to address illnesses like Alzheimer’s, AID’s, Huntingtons, and other diseases.

Also in 1998, the first human embryonic stem cells are isolated. Capable of transforming themselves into almost any bodily tissue, they raise high hopes for cell-based therapies. Ethical debates ensue about the use of human embryos, and in 2007, two teams of researchers used genetic modification to introduce pluripotent stem cells or IPS cells in an effort to provide an alternative source for embryonic stem cells.

2000’s

In 2001, while the scientific community waits with baited breath, the privately funded Celera Genomics and the publicly funded Human Genome Project simultaneously publish their long and eagerly awaited findings in the journals Science and Nature.

Also in 2001, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves Imatinib, a cancer therapy marketed under the name Gleevec. It represents the first in a class of drugs that target the chemical activity fueling the spread of cancer.

In 2005, paleontologists retrieve soft tissue from within the fossilized bones of a Tyrannosaurus rex, overturning assumptions about the preservative limits of fossils. Tissue analysis reveals the signature of proteins similar to those found in the bones of chickens and ostriches, affirming the relationship between dinosaurs and present-day birds.

At Lifecycle Biotechnologies, in our role of providing leading-edge tools and services to the life science industry, we’re committed to keeping abreast of the latest scientific discoveries and breakthroughs. In doing so, we aim to better understand and respond to the needs of the rapidly evolving industry and support our diverse customer population across multiple disciplinary specialties and market divisions.

If you’d like to see how our innovative tools and services can help your company scale for the research methodologies of the future, contact us today and see what we can do for you.