- 1922
- 1923
- 1924
- 1936
- 1940
- 1927
- 1937
- 1931
- 1932
- 1930
- 1940
- 1935
- 1936
- 1943
- 1946
- 1946
- 1956
- 1954
- 1963
- 1965
- 1966
- 1967
- 1971
- 1972
- 1973
- 1974
- 1983
- 1988
- 1989
- 1992
- 1995
- 1995
- 1997
- 1999
- 1997
- 2006
- 2010
- 2012
- 2015
- 2016
- 2018
- 2018
- 2019
- 2021
- 2021
- 2022
- 2022
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1922
1922
First Research Laboratory Established
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Dr. Joseph Stokes Jr. worked in the first research laboratory at CHOP located in a small room in the hospital’s basement with one centrifuge.
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1936
1936 Sera Against Whooping Cough Produced
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Aims McGuinness and colleagues developed a pertussis vaccine, the first in a series of vaccines pioneered at CHOP that continue to have a worldwide impact on childhood disease.
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1936
1936
New Incubator Invented
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Dr. Charles Chapple invented the first environmentally stable infant incubator.
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1937
1937 Hospital Funds Dedicated to Research
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CHOP’s Board of Managers appropriated hospital funds for research for the first time.
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1930s
Late 1930s
Research Study Supported Homogenized Milk for Infants
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During the 1930s, Dr. Irving Wolman and Dr. Bernard Spur completed the initial study on the use of easily digestible homogenized milk for infants, which led to its public acceptance.
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1940
1940 Virus Diagnostic Laboratory First in Any Clinical Department
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Scientists in the Virus Diagnostic Laboratory vigorously forged the sciences of bacteriology, virology, immunology, biochemistry, and epidemiology into a dynamic program.
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1940
1940
Dr. T. McNair Scott Appointed First Director of Research
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While Dr. T. McNair Scott’s research focused on viruses, he was recognized by his flying coattails en route to meetings and was kindly known as “McMeeting” Scott.
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1943
1943 Drs. Werner and Gertrude Henle Discovered Influenza Vaccine
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Drs. Werner and Gertrude Henle, a husband-and-wife research team focused on viruses, discovered the vaccine for influenza.
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1946
1946
Dr. Joseph Stokes Jr. Awarded the Medal of Freedom
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President Harry S. Truman honored Dr. Stokes Jr. for his research on the value of gamma globulin (convalescent serum) for the treatment of hepatitis A and hepatitis B.
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1946
1946 Dr. Coriell’s Research Laid Groundwork for Salk Polio Vaccine
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During his residency at CHOP, Dr. Lewis Coriell perfected the techniques to prevent contamination in cell cultures, which helped to progress polio research.
Photo courtesy of National Library of Medicine
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1950s
1950s
Scientists Pioneered Use of Electron Microscopy
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Dr. Klaus Hummeler, shown here in 1954, was a pioneer in the use of electron microscopy.
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1954
1954 CHOP’s First Research Building Opened
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The Rheumatic Fever and Virus Research Building opened at 17th and Bainbridge Streets. Built at a cost of $843,000 in 1954, which included equipment, “The Research Building” as it was commonly known, was the forerunner of today’s CHOP Research Institute, which is led by Susan Furth, MD, PhD, Executive Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer.
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1956
1956
Spitz-Holter Valve Developed
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Drs. John Holter and Eugene Spitz developed the first working shunt valve to drain fluid for the treatment of hydrocephalus; the valve is now used throughout the world.
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1963
1963 Rubella Vaccine Developed
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Dr. Stanley Plotkin developed the rubella (German measles) vaccine.
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1965
1965
Clinical Research Center Established
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The Clinical Research Center was established for hard-to-diagnose pediatric diseases and the development of advanced treatments.
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1966
1966 Rashkind Procedure Developed
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Dr. William Rashkind, a pioneer in the interventional catheterization field, developed a lifesaving, nonsurgical procedure for infants with a type of congenital heart disease.
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1967
1967
Scientists Link Epstein-Barr Virus as Cause of Mononucleosis
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Drs. Werner and Gertrude Henle, along with Dr. Klaus Hummeler, discover Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) causes infectious mononucleosis.
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1971
1971 Evans Staging System Developed
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Dr. Audrey Evans, chief of Pediatric Oncology, developed the Evans Staging System, which is used to determine the best treatments for children with neuroblastoma.
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1972
1972
Joseph Stokes Jr. Research Institute Created
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The Joseph Stokes Jr. Research Institute contained 70,000 square feet dedicated to research. Dr. Klaus Hummeler was its first director.
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1973
1973 CHOP Named Pediatric Cancer Research and Treatment Center
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The federal government named CHOP as one of only three pediatric cancer research and treatment centers in the U.S.
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1974
1974
Hospital Moves to West Philadelphia Location
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CHOP moved to its location at 3401 Civic Center Boulevard in West Philadelphia, and the first DNA Laboratory in Philadelphia was established.
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1983
1983 Medium-chain Acyl-coA Dehydrogenase Deficiency Discovered
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Dr. Charles Stanley’s team discovered MCADD, an inherited disease that is often undetected until it causes brain damage or death.
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1988
1988
Scientists Show Value of Cryotherapy for Premature Infants
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Dr. Graham Quinn and colleagues proved the value of cryotherapy to destroy abnormal vessel growth to prevent blindness in infants born prematurely.
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1980s
Late 1980s Researchers Began Mapping Chromosome 22
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During the 1980s, researchers received a major grant for mapping of chromosome 22, a project that was completed in 1999.
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1992-1995
1992-1995
Scientists Revealed Mechanisms Underlying HIV Infection
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Dr. Terri Finkel and team showed that HIV primes uninfected T cells for suicide, reducing their ability to fight infection, and that HIV renders some of its cells death-resistant.
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1995
1995 Leonard and Madlyn Abramson Pediatric Research Center Opened
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The Leonard and Madlyn Abramson Pediatric Research Center encouraged multidisciplinary collaboration and more than doubled the space available for scientific discovery.
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1995
1995
Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment Launched
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The Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment opened under the leadership of N. Scott Adzick, MD, MMM, a pioneer in the field of fetal medicine.
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1997
1997 CHOP Researchers Help to Identify Gene Causing Alagille Syndrome
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1997-2006
1997-2006
First Centers of Emphasis Named
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1999
1999 First Human Gene Transfer Studies for Hemophilia B Performed
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Drs. Catherine Manno and Alan Flake perform first human gene transfer studies for hemophilia B, using AAV vector expressing Factor IX in people with hemophilia.
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2006
2006
FDA Approved Rotavirus Vaccine
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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved rotavirus vaccine, Rotateq®, and it was subsequently included in the CDC’s recommended vaccine schedule for children.
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2010
2010 Ruth and Tristram Colket Jr. Translational Research Building Dedicated
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Part of the Raymond G. Perelman Campus in University City, Colket is a hub of translational research featuring flexible laboratory space.
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2012
2012
CAR T-cell Therapy Administered to First Pediatric Patient
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Dr. Stephan Grupp administered CAR T-cell therapy to the first pediatric patient for relapsed acute lymphoblastic leukemia, Emily Whitehead, who remains in remission.
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2015
2015 $50 Million Gift to Fund Research Transformation
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In addition to providing direct support for the Raymond G. Perelman Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, the gift established the Raymond G. Perelman Campus.
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2016
2016
Roberts Collaborative for Genetics and Individualized Medicine Created
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The initiative applies genetic testing technology to individualize diagnostics in pediatrics and then translate patients’ unique genetic blueprints to inform clinical management.
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2018
2018 Roberts Center for Pediatric Research Opened
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The Roberts Center for Pediatric Research opened along the Schuylkill River Trail with expanded available space for investigators and administrative employees.
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2018
2018
First Gene Therapy for a Genetic Disease Approved
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Dr. Katherine High and University of Pennsylvania colleagues developed a safe gene therapy, Luxterna®, for Leber congenital amaurosis, a rare, inherited form of retinal blindness.
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2019
2019 New Therapy Discovered for Defective Lymphatic Circulation
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Dr. Yoav Dori and Dr. Hakon Hakonarson used an existing drug, commonly prescribed to treat melanoma, to treat a genetic mutation causing severe lymphatic leakage.
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2021
2021
FDA Approved Harmony™ Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve
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CHOP was a lead enrollment site in the clinical trial leading to approval of a device that allows for pulmonary valve replacement via a minimally invasive catheter-based procedure.
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2021
2021 ALK Inhibitor Approved for Rare Form of non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
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The FDA approval of Xalkori®, based on a pivotal study led by CHOP researchers and the Children’s Oncology Group, gave pediatric patients with ALK-fusion positive relapsed/refractory anaplastic large cell lymphoma who experience relapse another treatment option.
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2022
2022
FDA Approved
Beti-cel-
The FDA approved the first potentially curative therapy for patients who require regular red blood cell transfusions to treat beta thalassemia.
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2022
2022 CHOP Broke Ground on Morgan Center for Research and Innovation
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At 14 stories tall, the new building will provide dedicated research space for wet labs, core facilities, genome sequencing, mechanical infrastructure, and a makerspace.
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