Flossie Wong-Staal
Encyclopedia
Flossie Wong-Staal born Yee Ching Wong, is a Chinese-American virologist and molecular biologist. She was the first scientist to clone HIV and determine the function of its genes, a major step in proving that HIV is the cause of AIDS. From 1990-2002, she was the Florence Riford Chair in AIDS Research at the University of California at San Diego (UCSD). She was co - founder and, after retiring from UCSD, Chief Scientific Officer of Immusol, which was renamed iTherX Pharmaceuticals in 2007 when it transitioned to a drug development company focused on Hepatitis C, and where she remains Chief Scientific Officer.
1985-2010
at the National Cancer Institute
(NCI). At the institute, Wong-Staal began her research into retroviruses.
In 1983, Wong-Staal, Gallo and her team of NCI scientists identified HIV as the cause of AIDS
, simultaneously with Montagnier. Two years later, Wong-Staal cloned HIV and then completed genetic mapping of the virus. The genetic mapping made it possible to develop HIV tests.
In 1990, Wong-Staal moved from NCI to UCSD. Wong-Staal continued her research into HIV and AIDS at UCSD. In 1994 she was named as chairman of UCSD's newly-created Center for AIDS Research. In that same year, Wong - Staal was elected to the Institute of Medicine of the U.S. National Academies.
In the 1990s, Wong-Staal's research focused on gene therapy
, using a ribozyme
"molecular knife" to repress HIV in stem cells. The protocol she developed was the second to be funded by the United States government.
In 2002, Wong-Staal retired from UCSD and now holds the title of Professor Emerita. She then joined Immusol, a biopharmaceutical
company that she co-founded while she was at UCSD, as Chief Scientific Officer. Recognizing the need for improved drugs for Hepatitis C, she transitioned Immusol to an HCV therapeutics focus and renamed it iTherX Pharmaceuticals to reflect this. That same year, Discover named Wong-Staal one of the fifty most extraordinary women scientists. Wong-Staal remains as a Research Professor of Medicine at UCSD.
In 2007, The Daily Telegraph
heralded Dr. Wong-Staal as #32 of the "Top 100 Living Geniuses."
1985-2010
Professional career
In 1972, following the receipt of her PhD, Wong-Staal undertook postdoctoral research at UCSD. Her postdoctoral work continued under 1974, when she left to work for Robert GalloRobert Gallo
Robert Charles Gallo is an American biomedical researcher. He is best known for his role in the discovery of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus , the infectious agent responsible for the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome , and he has been a major contributor to subsequent HIV research.Gallo is the...
at the National Cancer Institute
National Cancer Institute
The National Cancer Institute is part of the National Institutes of Health , which is one of 11 agencies that are part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The NCI coordinates the U.S...
(NCI). At the institute, Wong-Staal began her research into retroviruses.
In 1983, Wong-Staal, Gallo and her team of NCI scientists identified HIV as the cause of AIDS
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
, simultaneously with Montagnier. Two years later, Wong-Staal cloned HIV and then completed genetic mapping of the virus. The genetic mapping made it possible to develop HIV tests.
In 1990, Wong-Staal moved from NCI to UCSD. Wong-Staal continued her research into HIV and AIDS at UCSD. In 1994 she was named as chairman of UCSD's newly-created Center for AIDS Research. In that same year, Wong - Staal was elected to the Institute of Medicine of the U.S. National Academies.
In the 1990s, Wong-Staal's research focused on gene therapy
Gene therapy
Gene therapy is the insertion, alteration, or removal of genes within an individual's cells and biological tissues to treat disease. It is a technique for correcting defective genes that are responsible for disease development...
, using a ribozyme
Ribozyme
A ribozyme is an RNA molecule with a well defined tertiary structure that enables it to catalyze a chemical reaction. Ribozyme means ribonucleic acid enzyme. It may also be called an RNA enzyme or catalytic RNA. Many natural ribozymes catalyze either the hydrolysis of one of their own...
"molecular knife" to repress HIV in stem cells. The protocol she developed was the second to be funded by the United States government.
In 2002, Wong-Staal retired from UCSD and now holds the title of Professor Emerita. She then joined Immusol, a biopharmaceutical
Biopharmaceutical
Biopharmaceuticals are medical drugs produced using biotechnology. They include proteins , nucleic acids and living microorganisms like virus and bacteria where the virulence of viruses and bacteria is reduced by the process of attenuation, they can be used for therapeutic or in vivo diagnostic...
company that she co-founded while she was at UCSD, as Chief Scientific Officer. Recognizing the need for improved drugs for Hepatitis C, she transitioned Immusol to an HCV therapeutics focus and renamed it iTherX Pharmaceuticals to reflect this. That same year, Discover named Wong-Staal one of the fifty most extraordinary women scientists. Wong-Staal remains as a Research Professor of Medicine at UCSD.
In 2007, The Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph is a daily morning broadsheet newspaper distributed throughout the United Kingdom and internationally. The newspaper was founded by Arthur B...
heralded Dr. Wong-Staal as #32 of the "Top 100 Living Geniuses."