Cancer Research at Connaught Labs: “Medium 199” Coinciding with global cancer awareness campaigns, several of which take place in September, we look back on Connaught Labs’ major contribution to cancer research – a discovery that would also have a crucial impact on the development of vaccines. Knowing what a cancer cell needs nutritionally was a fundamental question to Dr. Raymond C. Parker, a cell researcher who joined Connaught in 1941. Existing nutrient media for cell growth contained animal-based ingredients that could not be precisely quantified. Beginning in 1947, and especially with the added expertise of biochemist Dr. Joseph F. Morgan, Parker oversaw the painstaking effort to develop a complex mixture of amino acids, vitamins, iron and various growth factors that would promote cell growth. In 1949, after 199 attempts, they finally hit upon a blend of 60 ingredients that worked; thus was born “Medium 199.” This purely synthetic cell nutrient medium enabled a much clearer understanding of what elements promoted and slowed the growth of cancer cells, and indeed all types of cells. Moreover, through a serendipitous connection between Morgan and Dr. A.E. Franklin of Connaught’s poliovirus research group, it was discovered that Medium 199 was ideal for supporting the growth of the poliovirus in cell cultures. This discovery opened the door to a safe polio vaccine and also made possible the production of a variety of viral vaccines.
Posted on: Thu, 11 Sep 2014 13:42:29 +0000
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