The legacy of Gertrude Elion.

Gertrude Elion talks about her long career in biochemistry with Burroughs Wellcome. She was born in Manhattan in 1918. Her early interest in chemistry seemed doomed to frustration as women at that time were virtually barred from scientific research, but shortage of manpower due to the outbreak of the Second World War and a meeting with Dr. George Herbert Hitchings of Burroughs Wellcome combined to provide her with the opportunity she needed. She and Hitchings began a collaboration which ws to last for the whole of their careers with Burroughs Wellcome. George Hitchings was involved in DNA research and believed that minute changes in DNA could cause cancer. From her collaboration in this research, Gertrude Elion developed the first successful treatment for leukaemia. She went on to develop Imuran, a compound which overcame the problem of transplant organ rejection and a fortunate, accidental outcome of this work was a treatment for gout which dispersed the build-up of uric acid which is a cause of gout. She then became interesed in anti-viral research and under her leadership Dr. Howard Schaeffer developed acyclovir, the first effective treatment for genital herpes. Retrovir, for AIDS, was a further result of this work. Dr. Elion then turned to the problem of malaria and helped develop a drug based on a Chinese plant remedy. After her retirement from Burroughs Wellcome she continued an active life in medical science which included involvement in training medical students. She was awarded a Nobel Prize in 1988 for groundbreaking work.