Willey Glover Denis
Encyclopedia
Dr. Willey Glover Denis (b. 26 February 1879 – January 9, 1929) was an American
biochemist
and physiologist. She was noted particularly for her collaborations with Otto Folin
studies of the protein metabolism. In addition, she was a pioneer in the field of clinical chemistry and the measurement of protein in biological fluids (blood
, urine
and cerebrospinal fluid
. She also developed the first reliable method of assaying lead
in urine, feces and tissue. She became one of the first women in the USA in the field of biochemistry, the first woman to be elected a member of the Massachusetts General Hospital
staff and her appointment as assistant professor at Tulane University
probably made her the first woman to be appointed as a faculty member of a major medical institution in the USA.
She died on 9 January 1929 of complications from metastatic breast cancer.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
biochemist
Biochemist
Biochemists are scientists who are trained in biochemistry. Typical biochemists study chemical processes and chemical transformations in living organisms. The prefix of "bio" in "biochemist" can be understood as a fusion of "biological chemist."-Role:...
and physiologist. She was noted particularly for her collaborations with Otto Folin
Otto Folin
Otto Knut Olof Folin was a Swedish-born American chemist who is best known for his groundbreaking work at Harvard University on practical micromethods for the determination of the constituents of protein-free blood filtrates and the discovery of creatine phosphate in muscles.-Background:Folin was...
studies of the protein metabolism. In addition, she was a pioneer in the field of clinical chemistry and the measurement of protein in biological fluids (blood
Blood
Blood is a specialized bodily fluid in animals that delivers necessary substances such as nutrients and oxygen to the cells and transports metabolic waste products away from those same cells....
, urine
Urine
Urine is a typically sterile liquid by-product of the body that is secreted by the kidneys through a process called urination and excreted through the urethra. Cellular metabolism generates numerous by-products, many rich in nitrogen, that require elimination from the bloodstream...
and cerebrospinal fluid
Cerebrospinal fluid
Cerebrospinal fluid , Liquor cerebrospinalis, is a clear, colorless, bodily fluid, that occupies the subarachnoid space and the ventricular system around and inside the brain and spinal cord...
. She also developed the first reliable method of assaying lead
Lead
Lead is a main-group element in the carbon group with the symbol Pb and atomic number 82. Lead is a soft, malleable poor metal. It is also counted as one of the heavy metals. Metallic lead has a bluish-white color after being freshly cut, but it soon tarnishes to a dull grayish color when exposed...
in urine, feces and tissue. She became one of the first women in the USA in the field of biochemistry, the first woman to be elected a member of the Massachusetts General Hospital
Massachusetts General Hospital
Massachusetts General Hospital is a teaching hospital and biomedical research facility in the West End neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts...
staff and her appointment as assistant professor at Tulane University
Tulane University
Tulane University is a private, nonsectarian research university located in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States...
probably made her the first woman to be appointed as a faculty member of a major medical institution in the USA.
She died on 9 January 1929 of complications from metastatic breast cancer.
See also
- Folin-Denis reagent, a method to measure polyphenols