The world is full of medical breakthroughs, with many of them transforming the lives of patients and their loved ones. Some are big, others more incremental, but they all add up to a better life.
For example, the discovery of the double helix structure of DNA by James Watson, Francis Crick and Rosalind Franklin revolutionized molecular biology, opening the door for gene therapy. Today, a map of the human genome is close to becoming an everyday reality and holds the promise of personalized medicine that can identify genetic predispositions for disease.
Other significant medical breakthroughs include insulin, which dramatically improved the lives of diabetes patients by controlling blood glucose levels and delaying the onset of its debilitating symptoms. It has also saved health systems billions by reducing the need for dialysis and other life-saving treatments.
HMS professor of genetics Jack Szostak and colleagues co-discover telomeres, regions of repetitive DNA that protect chromosome ends but shorten each time cells divide. Together with Szostak’s work on telomerase, this discovery opens the door for research into cancer, aging and stem cells.
Regenerative medicine aims to replace or regenerate tissues and organs that are damaged or lost, including limbs. Scientists use methods ranging from stimulating the body’s natural repair mechanisms to growing tissue and organs in the lab. This could reduce or eliminate the need for transplants and their associated problems, such as sourcing, waiting lists, tissue rejection and anti-rejection drugs.
Other significant medical breakthroughs include the development of vaccines for diseases such as tetanus, diphtheria, measles, meningococcal and tuberculosis, as well as shingles and chicken pox. Vaccines are now an integral part of preventive healthcare.
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