James Thomson (cell biologist)
Encyclopedia
James Alexander Thomson (born December 20, 1958) is an American
developmental biologist
best known for deriving the first human embryonic stem (ES) cell line in 1998 and for deriving human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells in 2007.
In spite of their great medical potential, however, human embryonic stem cells generated enormous controversy because their derivation involved the destruction of a human embryo. In 2007, Thomson’s group (contemporaneously with Dr. Shinya Yamanaka
) reported a method for converting human skin cells into cells that very closely resemble human embryonic stem cells. Published in Science in late 2007 in an article titled "Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Lines Derived from Human Somatic Cells", the results garnered international attention for potentially ending the ethical controversy surrounding human embryonic stem cell research. Science later featured induced pluripotent stem cells in its “Scientific Breakthrough of the Year” article, 2008.
in 1981. He entered the Veterinary Medical
Scientist Training Program at the University of Pennsylvania
, receiving his doctorate in veterinary medicine in 1985, and his doctorate in molecular biology
in 1988. His doctoral thesis involved understanding genetic imprinting in early mammalian development under the mentorship of Davor Solter at the Wistar Institute
. Thomson also spent two years (1989–91) as a postdoctoral research fellow in the Primate In Vitro Fertilization and Experimental Embryology Laboratory at the Oregon National Primate Research Center
, and completed a residency in veterinary pathology at the University of Wisconsin–Madison
(1991–1994).
in Madison, Wisconsin, is a professor in the Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
and a professor in the Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology Department at the University of California, Santa Barbara
. He is also a founder and Chief Scientific Officer for Cellular Dynamics International, a Madison-based company producing derivatives of human induced pluripotent stem cells for drug discovery and toxicity testing.
and the recipient of numerous awards and prizes. He was on the cover of TIME magazine's "America's Best in Science in Medicine" feature in 2001 for his work with human embryonic stem cells, and again in 2008 when the magazine named him one of the world's 100 most influential people for his derivation of human induced pluripotent stem cells. In 2011, Thomson was co-recipient, with Dr. Shinya Yamanaka, of the King Faisal International Prize and the Albany Medical Center Prize.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
developmental biologist
Developmental biology
Developmental biology is the study of the process by which organisms grow and develop. Modern developmental biology studies the genetic control of cell growth, differentiation and "morphogenesis", which is the process that gives rise to tissues, organs and anatomy.- Related fields of study...
best known for deriving the first human embryonic stem (ES) cell line in 1998 and for deriving human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells in 2007.
Thomson's research
Human embryonic stem cells can divide without limit, and yet maintain the potential to make all the cells of the body. This remarkable potential makes them useful for basic research on the function of the human body, for drug discovery and testing, and as a source of cells and tissues for transplantation medicine. In 1998, Thomson’s Lab was the first to report the successful isolation of human embryonic stem cells. On November 6, 1998, Science published this research in an article titled "Embryonic Stem Cell Lines Derived from Human Blastocysts", results which Science later featured in its “Scientific Breakthrough of the Year” article, 1999.In spite of their great medical potential, however, human embryonic stem cells generated enormous controversy because their derivation involved the destruction of a human embryo. In 2007, Thomson’s group (contemporaneously with Dr. Shinya Yamanaka
Shinya Yamanaka
is a Japanese physician and adult stem cell researcher. He serves as the director of Center for iPS Cell Research and Application and a professor at the Institute for Frontier Medical Sciences at Kyoto University, as a senior investigator at the UCSF-affiliated J...
) reported a method for converting human skin cells into cells that very closely resemble human embryonic stem cells. Published in Science in late 2007 in an article titled "Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Lines Derived from Human Somatic Cells", the results garnered international attention for potentially ending the ethical controversy surrounding human embryonic stem cell research. Science later featured induced pluripotent stem cells in its “Scientific Breakthrough of the Year” article, 2008.
Education
Thomson graduated with a B.S. in biophysics from the University of IllinoisUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign is a large public research-intensive university in the state of Illinois, United States. It is the flagship campus of the University of Illinois system...
in 1981. He entered the Veterinary Medical
Veterinary medicine
Veterinary Medicine is the branch of science that deals with the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease, disorder and injury in non-human animals...
Scientist Training Program at the University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
, receiving his doctorate in veterinary medicine in 1985, and his doctorate in molecular biology
Molecular biology
Molecular biology is the branch of biology that deals with the molecular basis of biological activity. This field overlaps with other areas of biology and chemistry, particularly genetics and biochemistry...
in 1988. His doctoral thesis involved understanding genetic imprinting in early mammalian development under the mentorship of Davor Solter at the Wistar Institute
Wistar Institute
The Wistar Institute is a biomedical center, with a focus on cancer research and vaccine development. It is located in the University City section of Philadelphia, Pa...
. Thomson also spent two years (1989–91) as a postdoctoral research fellow in the Primate In Vitro Fertilization and Experimental Embryology Laboratory at the Oregon National Primate Research Center
Oregon National Primate Research Center
The Oregon National Primate Research Center is one of eight federally funded National Primate Research Centers in the United States and has been affiliated with Oregon Health and Science University since 1998. The center is located on of land west of Portland, Oregon, in Hillsboro...
, and completed a residency in veterinary pathology at the University of Wisconsin–Madison
University of Wisconsin–Madison
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1848, UW–Madison is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. It became a land-grant institution in 1866...
(1991–1994).
Current employment
He serves as Director of Regenerative Biology at the Morgridge Institute for ResearchMorgridge Institute for Research
The Morgridge Institute for Research is a private, nonprofit biomedical research institute in Madison, Wis., affiliated with the University of Wisconsin–Madison...
in Madison, Wisconsin, is a professor in the Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
The University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health is a professional school for the study of medicine and public health at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.- History :...
and a professor in the Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology Department at the University of California, Santa Barbara
University of California, Santa Barbara
The University of California, Santa Barbara, commonly known as UCSB or UC Santa Barbara, is a public research university and one of the 10 general campuses of the University of California system. The main campus is located on a site in Goleta, California, from Santa Barbara and northwest of Los...
. He is also a founder and Chief Scientific Officer for Cellular Dynamics International, a Madison-based company producing derivatives of human induced pluripotent stem cells for drug discovery and toxicity testing.
Awards
Thomson is a member of the National Academy of SciencesUnited 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...
and the recipient of numerous awards and prizes. He was on the cover of TIME magazine's "America's Best in Science in Medicine" feature in 2001 for his work with human embryonic stem cells, and again in 2008 when the magazine named him one of the world's 100 most influential people for his derivation of human induced pluripotent stem cells. In 2011, Thomson was co-recipient, with Dr. Shinya Yamanaka, of the King Faisal International Prize and the Albany Medical Center Prize.
External links
- Morgridge Institute for Research
- Morgridge Institute for Research, Thomson Lab
- University of California, Santa Barbara - Molecular, Cellular, & Developmental Biology
- University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
- Genome Center of Wisconsin
- Cellular Dynamics International
- Academy of Achievement Bio
- "For stem cell scientist James Thomson, discovery trumps fame", article from the University of Wisconsin–Madison's alumni magazine
- "Stem cell pioneer does a reality check", MSNBC interview with James Thomson
- Nature Reports Stem Cells Q&A with James Thomson