This Month in St. Louis History

Medical science breakthroughs in December

St. Louis' long history is filled with scientific breakthroughs. And, in past Decembers, there were a trio of scientific events that impacted in important medical advances.

Also, Decembers past included the death of an important figure in the Lewis & Clark explorations and the start of the local chapter in the first civic organization for women.

(Each month, Young Saint Louis.com and the Missouri History Museum in Forest Park combine to highlight anniversaries of people and events from the area's rich history. If you'd like to know more about the area's history, visit www.mohistory.org.)

Start of the Human Genome Project

Robert Waterston

A historic highlight of the gigantic gene mapping of the Human Genome Project occurred in December, 1999. That's when researcher Robert Waterston of Washington University and colleagues finished mapping the DNA of the lowly round worm.

One Waterston's key colleagues was John Sulston of the Senger Centre. For a more complete description of the worm project, visit www.ifgene.org/sulston.htm.

The success in sequencing of the worm's DNA was instrumental in convincing other researchers and funding agencies of the feasibility of large-scale sequencing of human DNA.

Waterston has continued to be at the center of human genome research. Washington University is one of the research institutions with a large role in mapping the human genome.

In an article in 2005, Waterston pointed out the large similarities between the DNA of humans and chimpanzees. He said the gene differences amounted to only 1.2 per cent of the total genetic composition.

In an article in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Waterston said, "We're not that different."

To read full article, visit http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/238852_chimp01.html.

Nuclear breakthrough aids cancer treatment

Enrico Fermi

Physicist Enrico Fermi made a crucial breakthrough in nuclear science in December, 1942. He produced the first self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction. The primary aim of the Manhattan Project was to create an atomic bomb.

But, a very valuable by-product of that effort was the production of radioisotopes that advanced developments in medical science. Again, St. Louis figured in the beginnings.

In August, 1946, the Oak Ridge atomic facility in Tennessee shipped its first reactor-producing radioisotopes for civilian medical uses to the Barnard Cancer Hospital in St. Louis.

That was the start of the rapidly increasing use of the relatively inexpensive radioactive compounds for medical diagnosis and treatment. Such isotopes were of particular use in diagnosis and treatment of cancers.

For an interesting personal description by Fermi of an A-bomb test in 1945, you can visit www.radiochemistry.org/history/trinity/01_fermi.shtml.

For more about Fermi's life, visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enrico_Fermi.

The birth of PET whole-body scanning

A Washington University researcher Michael Phelps completed development of the first whole-body Positron Emission Tomography (PET) camera system in December, 1974.

The PET camera system is a nuclear imaging system that can produce three-dimensional images of body functions. It's particularly valuable in diagnosis of the human brain and is used in treatment of brain diseases.

Phelps did graduate work in chemistry at Washington U. He also got his first faculty position there in the medical school.

He was assigned to Dr. Michel Ter-Pogossian in 1971. Phelps and another graduate student, Dr. Edward Hoffman, developed instruments to measure brain action, using positron-labeled compounds.

They went on to design a machine that used up to 25 detectors. The first whole-body PET scan was completed in December, 1974.

For more, visit www.diagnosticimaging.com/specialedition/profile-phelps.jhtml.

Death of Sacagawea

Sacagawea (right) with William Clark (left) and Meriwether Lewis (centre) at Three Forks of the Missouri River, 1805.

One of the most famous members of the Lewis & Clark exploration team was the Indian woman, Sacagawea. At the time the expedition started, she was just 16 years old.

She came along with her husband, Toussaint Charbonneau, a trapper who was hired as a translator. As the two-year exploration went on, Sacagawea turned out to be a valuable team member.

The best historical evidence states she died on Dec. 20, 1817.

For a look at her life, visit www.wshs.org/wshm/lewisandclark/sacagawea.htm.

Local Altrusa Club chapter starts

The St. Louis chapter of the Altrusa International group of women's civic clubs was established in December, 1936. The clubs are considered to be a first civic clubs established for business and professional women.

The first Altrusa club was established in Nashville, Tenn., in 1917. The founder was a name, Dr. Alfred Durham, a member of Kiwanis.

He envisioned the Altrusa groups as attracting women with business and professional backgrounds, who flocked to the workforce during and after World War I.

The St. Louis chapter was started by 14 women from diverse backgrounds.

Among the early service projects included a grant to Dr. Mildred Trotter of Washington University's School of Medicine. The club also became involved in supplying equipment and supplies for the Elias Michael School for Crippled Children.

It's oldest continuing project was support of the annual Salvation Army Tree of Lights campaign.

For a look at the expanding role of women in the workforce during the two World Wars, visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Female_roles_in_the_world_wars.