Ellen Vitetta
Encyclopedia
Ellen Vitetta is the director of the Cancer Immunobiology Center at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
in Dallas.
Vitetta is an immunologist who does translational (“bench to bedside”) research. She and her colleagues first described IgD
on the surface of murine B cells and she was the co-discoverer of Interleukin-4. Her group demonstrated that IL-4 was a “switch” factor for Ig on B cells. Over the past two decades, she has developed antibody
-based “biological missiles” to destroy cancer cells and cells infected with HIV. These novel therapeutics have been evaluated in tissue culture
, in animals and, since 1988, in over 300 humans. In 2001, Dr. Vitetta developed a vaccine
against ricin
, which has been evaluated in the first clinical trial of such a vaccine.
Vitetta is Professor of Microbiology and Immunology, Director of the Cancer
Immunobiology Center, and holder of both the Sheryle Simmons Patigian Distinguished Chair in Cancer Immunobiology and a Distinguished Teaching Chair at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
in Dallas. She has published close to 500 papers, edited several books, and is a co-inventor on 12 issued patents. She is one of the top 100 most cited biomedical scientists in the world.
Vitetta is a member of the National Academy of Sciences
, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
, the Institute of Medicine
and the American Academy of Microbiology. She is a founding member R. Franklin Society. She served as president of the American Association of Immunogists in 1994 and received its Mentoring Award in 2002 and its Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007. In 2006, she was elected to the Texas Women's Hall of Fame. She currently serves on the board of advisors of Scientists and Engineers for America
, an organization focused on promoting sound science in American government.
Vitetta's former student, Linda Buck, won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
in 2004.
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center is one of the biomedical research institutions of the University of Texas System, incorporating three degree-granting institutions, four affiliated hospitals, including Parkland Memorial, the teaching hospital, and biomedical research...
in Dallas.
Vitetta is an immunologist who does translational (“bench to bedside”) research. She and her colleagues first described IgD
IGD
IGD can refer to:*Internet Gateway Device as defined in UPnP.*İGD, İlerici Gençler Derneği, Progressive Young Association of Turkey*Immunoglobulin D, an antibody protein involved in the maturation of B cells....
on the surface of murine B cells and she was the co-discoverer of Interleukin-4. Her group demonstrated that IL-4 was a “switch” factor for Ig on B cells. Over the past two decades, she has developed antibody
Antibody
An antibody, also known as an immunoglobulin, is a large Y-shaped protein used by the immune system to identify and neutralize foreign objects such as bacteria and viruses. The antibody recognizes a unique part of the foreign target, termed an antigen...
-based “biological missiles” to destroy cancer cells and cells infected with HIV. These novel therapeutics have been evaluated in tissue culture
Tissue culture
Tissue culture is the growth of tissues or cells separate from the organism. This is typically facilitated via use of a liquid, semi-solid, or solid growth medium, such as broth or agar...
, in animals and, since 1988, in over 300 humans. In 2001, Dr. Vitetta developed a vaccine
Vaccine
A vaccine is a biological preparation that improves immunity to a particular disease. A vaccine typically contains an agent that resembles a disease-causing microorganism, and is often made from weakened or killed forms of the microbe or its toxins...
against ricin
Ricin
Ricin , from the castor oil plant Ricinus communis, is a highly toxic, naturally occurring protein. A dose as small as a few grains of salt can kill an adult. The LD50 of ricin is around 22 micrograms per kilogram Ricin , from the castor oil plant Ricinus communis, is a highly toxic, naturally...
, which has been evaluated in the first clinical trial of such a vaccine.
Vitetta is Professor of Microbiology and Immunology, Director of the Cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
Immunobiology Center, and holder of both the Sheryle Simmons Patigian Distinguished Chair in Cancer Immunobiology and a Distinguished Teaching Chair at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center is one of the biomedical research institutions of the University of Texas System, incorporating three degree-granting institutions, four affiliated hospitals, including Parkland Memorial, the teaching hospital, and biomedical research...
in Dallas. She has published close to 500 papers, edited several books, and is a co-inventor on 12 issued patents. She is one of the top 100 most cited biomedical scientists in the world.
Vitetta is a member of the National Academy of Sciences
United States National Academy of Sciences
The National Academy of Sciences is a corporation in the United States whose members serve pro bono as "advisers to the nation on science, engineering, and medicine." As a national academy, new members of the organization are elected annually by current members, based on their distinguished and...
, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
American Academy of Arts and Sciences
The American Academy of Arts and Sciences is an independent policy research center that conducts multidisciplinary studies of complex and emerging problems. The Academy’s elected members are leaders in the academic disciplines, the arts, business, and public affairs.James Bowdoin, John Adams, and...
, the Institute of Medicine
Institute of Medicine
The Institute of Medicine is a not-for-profit, non-governmental American organization founded in 1970, under the congressional charter of the National Academy of Sciences...
and the American Academy of Microbiology. She is a founding member R. Franklin Society. She served as president of the American Association of Immunogists in 1994 and received its Mentoring Award in 2002 and its Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007. In 2006, she was elected to the Texas Women's Hall of Fame. She currently serves on the board of advisors of Scientists and Engineers for America
Scientists and Engineers for America
-Mission statement:The organization's mission statement states:-SHARP Network:The Science, Health and Related Policies Network is a wiki to track congressional representatives, senators, and candidates as well as presidential candidates....
, an organization focused on promoting sound science in American government.
Vitetta's former student, Linda Buck, won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine administered by the Nobel Foundation, is awarded once a year for outstanding discoveries in the field of life science and medicine. It is one of five Nobel Prizes established in 1895 by Swedish chemist Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite, in his will...
in 2004.
Awards and honors
- Lifetime Achievement Award, American Association of Immunologists (2007)
- TAMEST board of directors (2007)
- Texas Women's Hall of Fame (2006)
- Institute of Medicine (2006)
- American Academy of Arts and Sciences (2003)
- Mentoring Award, American Association of Immunologists (2002)
- Charlotte Friend Award, American Association of Cancer Research (2002)
- Rosenthal Award, American Association of Cancer Research (1995)
- President, American Association of Immunologists (1994)
- National Academy of Sciences (1994)
- FASEB Excellence in Science Award(1991)
- American Academy of Microbiology