MATRIARCH OF MODERN CANCER GENETICS Contd…

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Janet Rowley unlocked the Rosetta stone to modern understanding of cancer genetics. Her work initially met with lots of skepticism as chromosomal abnormalities were then considered to be effect of disease rather than the cause. However, by 1980s, each of the abnormalities had been molecularly characterized which revealed that translocations create fusion proteins that drive cell growth. Soon, scientists identified many chromosomal translocations in other cancers.

Her discoveries was very useful as it led to the greater understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of certain cancers and led to breakthrough therapies like  using Imatinib in Chronic myeloid leukemia and high-dose retinoic acid in treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia. She went on to publish over 500 journal articles.

She spent her entire career at the University of Chicago. In 1962, she joined as a research associate in the Department of Hematology. She became an associate professor in 1969 and a professor in 1977.


She cofounded the journal Genes, Chromosomes and Cancer and served as editor –in-chief for 25 years. She served on President Jimmy Carters’ National Cancer Advisory Board from 1979 to 1984, also on President George W. Bush’s Council on Bioethics from 2002 to 2009. In 2009, she was at the White House, when President Obama funded for stem cell research.

She has many awards and prizes to her credits. She has received 14 honorary degrees and many prestigious prizes including the National Medal of Science and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. In 1998, she was awarded the prestigious Lasker Award along with two other scientists for their work on translocation. She was also elected as a member of the National Academy of Sciences, the Institute of Medicine, the American Philosophical Society and the American Academy of Arts & Sciences.

Rowleys’ husband Dr.Donald was a renowned professor of pathology at the University of Chicago. He gave early retirement and was supporting Janet’s career. They two travelled the world together and gave many talks.  However, busy they were, they always found time for the extended family life in Hyde Park. Their home was open to generations of students, faculty and staff at the University of Chicago. Donald and Rowley integrated family life with work life and always supported each other.

She was always fascinated by science and especially she liked the orderliness of the classification of plants and animals which made her take medicine. She thought she can integrate science into medicine and serve people. Her greatest inspiration was her mother, who was a teacher in Chicago and she always encouraged Janet. At the university, she had inspiring teachers in college and in medical school. When she began research, Dr.Leon Jacobson and Dr.Charles Huggins (a Noble Laureate) were both her mentors.

She rode her bike to work every day. Janet was restless, ambitious and kind. She was an avid gardener and a great athlete who climbed mountains and swarm on Lake Michigan most summer days. She enjoyed the Opera. Janet was a devoted mother and grandmother.

References:

1.     Janet Davison Rowley, Cell 156, January 30,2014

2.    https://cfmedicine.nlm.nih.gov/physicians/biography_282.html

                                                                         Written by Dr.Priyavadhana B

 

 

 


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