In the zestful world of biotechnology, women have been making remarkable progress, significantly contributing to the advancements in science, research, and innovation. As we celebrate International Women’s Day, it is fitting to shine a spotlight on the brilliant minds shaping the future of biotechnology. Let’s explore the invaluable contributions of women in this field, their groundbreaking research, and the challenges they’ve overcome to carve out a niche for themselves in this wide landscape of biotechnology.
June Almedia
A pioneering virologist, played a pivotal role in the field of biotechnology. Born in 1930, Almeida is best known for her groundbreaking work in identifying and visualising viruses using electron microscopy. Her brilliant techniques and keen observations led to the discovery of the first human coronavirus family in the 1960s. Having perfected the technique of negative staining, it helped her co-author scientific publications relating to identifying the structure of viruses. She also pioneered a technique called immune electron microscopy where the virus is mixed with antibodies. The viruses clump around the antibodies , making it easy to visualise the virus. Despite facing gender-related challenges during her career, Almeida’s legacy endures as a ground breaker in virology, showcasing the remarkable impact women have had on the forefront of scientific discovery.
Fran Balkwill
A decorated professor and researcher in the field of cancer biology, she has made significant contributions to both research and education. Her ground breaking work includes the understanding of the interaction of cancer cells with their microenvironment. Her research work was crucial in understanding the role of inflammation in cancer development and progression. In addition to being a distinguished researcher, she is a science communicator. She has authored and co-authored several books especially ion the areas of oncology and immunology.
Sally Davies
A former chief medical officer oil England and a distinguished British physician, Davies played a pivotal role in shaping health policies and strategies for her nation. She notably addressed the global threat of Anti-microbial resistance. Her tireless efforts led to increased awareness, better policy initiatives and an international collaboration to combat the problem of anti-microbial resistance.
Margaret dayhoff
Also known as the founder of Bioinformatics, she is a well known American bioinformatician and chemist. Her contributions to the field of computational biology were commendable. She developed the first computer-based method for aligning protein sequences, which turned out to be the foundation for a branch of biology- Bioinformatics. In 1965, she created the first protein sequence database, which later became the Atlas of Protein Sequence and Structure. Other accomplishments include the development of Point Accepted Mutation (PAM) matrices, a quantitative tool for determining the evolutionary distance between two related proteins.
Jennifer doudna
After codiscovering a revolutionary gene editing CRISPR-Cas-9 technology, am American biochemist and molecular biologist became a well renowned scientist. This groundbreaking tool has implications in a wide range of applications including medicine, agriculture, and biotechnology. She shared her Nobel prize in Chemistry with her colleague Emmanuelle Charpentier in 2020. She was actively involved in discussing the ethical issues surrounding gene editing using CRISPR-cas-9.
Rosland franklin
Watson and Crick are two pioneering scientists who come to mind when we think of DNA. But, what we don’t know her impeccable role in the X-ray diffraction of DNA fibres. Along with Watson and crick, she deduced the double helical structure of DNA in 1953. However, it is sad that her role in the discovery of DNA structure was not fully acknowledged. Tragically, Rosalind Franklin passed away at the young age of 37 in 1958 due to ovarian cancer.
Dr. Padmanee Sharma
A cancer immunologist and researcher by profession, she is known for her work in the field of cancer immunotherapy. She has made significant contributions to understanding the immune system’s role in cancer and developing novel therapeutic approaches.Her research has focused on immune checkpoint inhibitors, a type of cancer immunotherapy that helps the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells. Dr. Sharma’s work has particularly emphasised the application of immunotherapy in genitourinary cancers, such as bladder and kidney cancers.
Elizabeth blackburn
A molecular biologist from the United States, she is well renowned for her pioneering work in the field of telomere biology and the discovery of the enzyme telomerase. Telomeres are protective caps at the ends of chromosomes. They play a crucial role in maintaining the stability of chromosomes during cell division. This incredible work has won a Nobel prize for her in Physiology in 2009, which she shared with Carol W. Greider and Jack W. Szostak. Blackburn’s research has had significant implications for our understanding of cellular aging, cancer, and other health-related processes.
Barbara McClintok
If you have ever read about transposons in your University, you have definitely heard her name. Well known for her discovery of Jumping genes, she gave groundbreaking contributions to the field of genetics. In 1983, McClintock was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for her discovery of transposons and her pioneering work on the genetic structure of maize (corn). Although initially met with skepticism, McClintock’s work gained recognition and appreciation over time. The significance of her discoveries became more apparent as the field of molecular genetics advanced.
Who among them do you find the most inspiring? comment below.
People in Biotechnology know and remember very few women biotechnologist. This post helped me learn about many women scientist whose contribution to the progress of Biotechnology has been phenomenal. Thanks for this post Gayathri.