Ann Kiessling
Encyclopedia
Dr. Ann A. Kiessling is an American
reproductive biologist and is currently one of the leaders in human parthenogenic stem cell research at The Bedford Stem Cell Research Foundation
. She also has an appointment in the Department of Surgery at Harvard Medical School
Dr. Kiessling is noted for her discovery of reverse transcriptase
activity in normal human cells (Kiessling & Goulian). This report pioneered the importance of naturally occurring retrovirus sequences in human genes, now thought to be important to the genetic plasticity involved in human evolution and biology. Prior to this discovery, it had been assumed that reverse transcriptase was an enzyme found only in retroviruses(such as HIV
). To understand the normal biologic role of reverse transcriptase, Dr. Kiessling began to study eggs and early cleaving embryos. Her dual interests in virology
and reproductive biology
led to research in semen transmission of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV
), and the creation of the first laboratory for Human In Vitro Fertilization
(IVF) in Oregon
in the early 1980s. Harvard Medical School
recruited Dr. Kiessling in 1985, where she continues her research today.
The need to conduct biomedical research in areas not funded by the federal government led to the incorporation of the Bedford Stem Cell Research Foundation. The Foundation's controversial Special Program of Assisted Reproduction
(SPAR) has helped more than 70 couples http://duncanholly.org/infectiousd/infect_births.html affected by HIV disease have healthy babies. Because of this success, more than two-dozen fertility centers throughout the country have implemented the SPAR program, allowing couples to seek care close to home.
The techniques developed for the Special Program of Assisted Reproduction
have now been extended to other diseases of the male genitourinary tract, such as prostatitis and bladder infections. Expertise in human egg biology led Dr. Kiessling to develop the country's first human egg donor program for stem cell research in 2000. It remains a research focus today.
Dr. Kiessling has published more than 100 scientific papers and given more than 60 lectures to audiences around the world. Her writings can be found in publications such as Nature, Lancet and in proceedings of the National Academy of Science. Among her noted publications is the first comprehensive look at the influence of accurate science terminology on laws titled, "What is an Embryo," published by the Connecticut Law Review along with rejoinders by Dr. Harold Shapiro
, Prof John A. Robertson
, Prof. Lars Noah, and Father Kevin P. Quinn. The law review specifically addresses the controversy of all of the entities that are currently called embryos with regards to embryonic stem cell research legislation around the wold.
Dr. Kiessling has been the focus of articles in The Boston Globe
, Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times
, Associated Press
and Newsweek
. In 2003, Dr. Kiessling wrote Human Embryonic Stem Cells: An Introduction to the Science and Therapeutic Potential, the first textbook on the controversial topic.
Dr. Kiessling is a current member of the California (California Constitution Article XXXV
) and Connecticut Stem Cell Research Advisory Boards, and a member of the Embryonic Stem Cell Research Oversight Committees (ESCROS) for Harvard University, Joslin Diabetes Center
and Children's Hospital.
, School of Nursing, Alumni Achievement Award.
October 2010 - Central Washington University
, 2010 Distinguished Alumni Award
November 16, 2009 - Dr. Ann A. Kiessling honored with the Jacob Heskel Gabbay Award for Biotechnology and Medicine
2007 - Dr. Kiessling's Special Program of Assisted Reproduction honored with Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology Prize Paper Award, presented at The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) 2007 Conference
as Ann Anderson. Her father, Col. William C. Anderson, was a decorated squadron commander in the US Air Force during World War II
. She graduated from Klamath Falls High School in 1960 and attended University of Virginia
where she received the first of her two bachelor's degrees in Nursing
. In 1966 she received her second bachelor's degree in Chemistry
from Central Washington University
where she also received her master's degree in Organic Chemistry
in 1967. In 1971 she earned her PhD from Oregon State University
in Biochemistry
and Biophysics
. She did postdoctoral research at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
, and University of California
, San Diego.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
reproductive biologist and is currently one of the leaders in human parthenogenic stem cell research at The Bedford Stem Cell Research Foundation
Bedford Stem Cell Research Foundation
Bedford Stem Cell Research Foundation is a non-profit Institute that conducts stem cell research for diseases and conditions that currently have no known cure. The institute also created the Special Program of Assisted Reproduction , a program that assists serodiscordant couples successfully...
. She also has an appointment in the Department of Surgery at Harvard Medical School
Harvard Medical School
Harvard Medical School is the graduate medical school of Harvard University. It is located in the Longwood Medical Area of the Mission Hill neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts....
Dr. Kiessling is noted for her discovery of reverse transcriptase
Reverse transcriptase
In the fields of molecular biology and biochemistry, a reverse transcriptase, also known as RNA-dependent DNA polymerase, is a DNA polymerase enzyme that transcribes single-stranded RNA into single-stranded DNA. It also helps in the formation of a double helix DNA once the RNA has been reverse...
activity in normal human cells (Kiessling & Goulian). This report pioneered the importance of naturally occurring retrovirus sequences in human genes, now thought to be important to the genetic plasticity involved in human evolution and biology. Prior to this discovery, it had been assumed that reverse transcriptase was an enzyme found only in retroviruses(such as HIV
HIV
Human immunodeficiency virus is a lentivirus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome , a condition in humans in which progressive failure of the immune system allows life-threatening opportunistic infections and cancers to thrive...
). To understand the normal biologic role of reverse transcriptase, Dr. Kiessling began to study eggs and early cleaving embryos. Her dual interests in virology
Virology
Virology is the study of viruses and virus-like agents: their structure, classification and evolution, their ways to infect and exploit cells for virus reproduction, the diseases they cause, the techniques to isolate and culture them, and their use in research and therapy...
and reproductive biology
Reproductive biology
Reproductive biology is a study mainly involving the reproductive system and sex organs. It is closely related to reproductive endocrinology and infertility. also is miotosis and miosis...
led to research in semen transmission of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV
HIV
Human immunodeficiency virus is a lentivirus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome , a condition in humans in which progressive failure of the immune system allows life-threatening opportunistic infections and cancers to thrive...
), and the creation of the first laboratory for Human In Vitro Fertilization
In vitro fertilisation
In vitro fertilisation is a process by which egg cells are fertilised by sperm outside the body: in vitro. IVF is a major treatment in infertility when other methods of assisted reproductive technology have failed...
(IVF) in Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
in the early 1980s. Harvard Medical School
Harvard Medical School
Harvard Medical School is the graduate medical school of Harvard University. It is located in the Longwood Medical Area of the Mission Hill neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts....
recruited Dr. Kiessling in 1985, where she continues her research today.
The need to conduct biomedical research in areas not funded by the federal government led to the incorporation of the Bedford Stem Cell Research Foundation. The Foundation's controversial Special Program of Assisted Reproduction
Special Program of Assisted Reproduction
The Special Program of Assisted Reproduction is a program offered to HIV discordant couples at the Bedford Research Foundation’s clinical laboratory...
(SPAR) has helped more than 70 couples http://duncanholly.org/infectiousd/infect_births.html affected by HIV disease have healthy babies. Because of this success, more than two-dozen fertility centers throughout the country have implemented the SPAR program, allowing couples to seek care close to home.
The techniques developed for the Special Program of Assisted Reproduction
Special Program of Assisted Reproduction
The Special Program of Assisted Reproduction is a program offered to HIV discordant couples at the Bedford Research Foundation’s clinical laboratory...
have now been extended to other diseases of the male genitourinary tract, such as prostatitis and bladder infections. Expertise in human egg biology led Dr. Kiessling to develop the country's first human egg donor program for stem cell research in 2000. It remains a research focus today.
Dr. Kiessling has published more than 100 scientific papers and given more than 60 lectures to audiences around the world. Her writings can be found in publications such as Nature, Lancet and in proceedings of the National Academy of Science. Among her noted publications is the first comprehensive look at the influence of accurate science terminology on laws titled, "What is an Embryo," published by the Connecticut Law Review along with rejoinders by Dr. Harold Shapiro
Harold Shapiro
Harold Shapiro is the name of:* Harold S. Shapiro , mathematician* Harold Tafler Shapiro , economist and former president of Princeton University and of the University of Michigan-See also:* Harold Shapero , composer...
, Prof John A. Robertson
John A. Robertson
John A. Robertson holds the Vinson and Elkins Chair at The University of Texas School of Law. He has written and lectured widely on law and bioethical issues....
, Prof. Lars Noah, and Father Kevin P. Quinn. The law review specifically addresses the controversy of all of the entities that are currently called embryos with regards to embryonic stem cell research legislation around the wold.
Dr. Kiessling has been the focus of articles in The Boston Globe
The Boston Globe
The Boston Globe is an American daily newspaper based in Boston, Massachusetts. The Boston Globe has been owned by The New York Times Company since 1993...
, Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times
The Los Angeles Times is a daily newspaper published in Los Angeles, California, since 1881. It was the second-largest metropolitan newspaper in circulation in the United States in 2008 and the fourth most widely distributed newspaper in the country....
, Associated Press
Associated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
and Newsweek
Newsweek
Newsweek is an American weekly news magazine published in New York City. It is distributed throughout the United States and internationally. It is the second-largest news weekly magazine in the U.S., having trailed Time in circulation and advertising revenue for most of its existence...
. In 2003, Dr. Kiessling wrote Human Embryonic Stem Cells: An Introduction to the Science and Therapeutic Potential, the first textbook on the controversial topic.
Dr. Kiessling is a current member of the California (California Constitution Article XXXV
California Constitution Article XXXV
Proposition 71 of 2004 is a law enacted by California voters to support stem cell research in the state. It was proposed by means of the initiative process and approved in the 2004 state elections on November 2...
) and Connecticut Stem Cell Research Advisory Boards, and a member of the Embryonic Stem Cell Research Oversight Committees (ESCROS) for Harvard University, Joslin Diabetes Center
Joslin Diabetes Center
Joslin Diabetes Center is the world’s largest diabetes research center, diabetes clinic, and provider of diabetes education. It is located in the Longwood Medical and Academic Area in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Among the Harvard Medical School Affiliated institutions, Joslin is unique in its sole...
and Children's Hospital.
Awards
March 23, 2011 - Dr. Ann A. Kiessling honored with the first ever University of VirginiaUniversity of Virginia
The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
, School of Nursing, Alumni Achievement Award.
October 2010 - Central Washington University
Central Washington University
Central Washington University, often abbreviated CWU, is a public university in Ellensburg, Washington in the United States.This location was selected by the state legislature as a consolation prize after Ellensburg lost its bid to be state capital...
, 2010 Distinguished Alumni Award
November 16, 2009 - Dr. Ann A. Kiessling honored with the Jacob Heskel Gabbay Award for Biotechnology and Medicine
2007 - Dr. Kiessling's Special Program of Assisted Reproduction honored with Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology Prize Paper Award, presented at The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) 2007 Conference
Background
Dr. Kiessling was born in Baker City, OregonBaker City, Oregon
Baker City is a city in and the county seat of Baker County, Oregon, United States. It was named after Edward D. Baker. The population was 9,828 at the 2010 census.-History:...
as Ann Anderson. Her father, Col. William C. Anderson, was a decorated squadron commander in the US Air Force during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. She graduated from Klamath Falls High School in 1960 and attended University of Virginia
University of Virginia
The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
where she received the first of her two bachelor's degrees in Nursing
Nursing
Nursing is a healthcare profession focused on the care of individuals, families, and communities so they may attain, maintain, or recover optimal health and quality of life from conception to death....
. In 1966 she received her second bachelor's degree in Chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry is the science of matter, especially its chemical reactions, but also its composition, structure and properties. Chemistry is concerned with atoms and their interactions with other atoms, and particularly with the properties of chemical bonds....
from Central Washington University
Central Washington University
Central Washington University, often abbreviated CWU, is a public university in Ellensburg, Washington in the United States.This location was selected by the state legislature as a consolation prize after Ellensburg lost its bid to be state capital...
where she also received her master's degree in Organic Chemistry
Organic chemistry
Organic chemistry is a subdiscipline within chemistry involving the scientific study of the structure, properties, composition, reactions, and preparation of carbon-based compounds, hydrocarbons, and their derivatives...
in 1967. In 1971 she earned her PhD from Oregon State University
Oregon State University
Oregon State University is a coeducational, public research university located in Corvallis, Oregon, United States. The university offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees and a multitude of research opportunities. There are more than 200 academic degree programs offered through the...
in Biochemistry
Biochemistry
Biochemistry, sometimes called biological chemistry, is the study of chemical processes in living organisms, including, but not limited to, living matter. Biochemistry governs all living organisms and living processes...
and Biophysics
Biophysics
Biophysics is an interdisciplinary science that uses the methods of physical science to study biological systems. Studies included under the branches of biophysics span all levels of biological organization, from the molecular scale to whole organisms and ecosystems...
. She did postdoctoral research at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, is one of the world’s leading cancer research institutes...
, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
Memorial Sloan–Kettering Cancer Center is a cancer treatment and research institution founded in 1884 as the New York Cancer Hospital...
, and University of California
University of California
The University of California is a public university system in the U.S. state of California. Under the California Master Plan for Higher Education, the University of California is a part of the state's three-tier public higher education system, which also includes the California State University...
, San Diego.