Ann Tsukamoto
Ann Tsukamoto | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 6, 1952 California, United States |
| Alma mater | University of California San Diego University of California Los Angeles |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Stem cell biology |
| Institutions | University of California San Francisco SyStemix, Inc. StemCells, Inc. |
Ann Tsukamoto (born July 6, 1952) is an American stem cell researcher and inventor.[1][2] Ann is best known for co-patenting a process to isolate the human stem cell, a patent which was awarded in 1991. Ann Tsukamoto’s work and contributions have led to groundbreaking advancements in the field of stem cell research and “in comprehending the blood systems of cancer patients,” leading the science and research industry to new heights and cutting edge discoveries [5]. In short, Ann’s research and subsequent inventions remain vital in one day leading to a cure for cancer and malignant/invasive tumors in the human body [5].
Early life
Ann was born in California, on July 6th,1952. She attended The University of California Los Angeles, where she earned her Ph.D in immunology and macrobiology. However, Ann did most of her postdoctoral work with Dr. Harold Varmus at the University of California, San Francisco campus, where the scientist worked on the wnt-1 gene and “developed a transgenic model for breast cancer.” [6]. It was later discovered that the wnt-1 gene is to be a key player in the stem cell self-renewal pathway, which peaked Ann’s initial interest in stem cell research regarding cancer pathways.[3]
Early career
After graduation, Ann Tsukamoto went on to work at her first stem cell research position at SyStemix, Inc. It was here where Ann, along with a group of scientists, discovered the human hematopoietic stem cell hHSC in the early 1990’s (blood stem cell).[3] Learning how to isolate stem cells was key to cancer research; transplanting blood stem cells can replace damaged cells created by cancer cells.
According to the National Library of Medicine, the purified hHSC was shown to be cancer-free when isolated from the “cancer-contaminated hematopoietic mobilized blood of patients with disseminated cancer,” and the cell successfully regenerated the patients' blood-forming system after “myeloablative chemotherapy,” a pivotal step to one day curing cancer [5]. For this innovation, Ann Tsukamoto was able to be issued seven US patents, six of which are related to the human hematopoietic stem cell, and was awarded prestigious scientific honors, as well as recognized throughout the stem cell research community and beyond for her contributions.[4]
Late career
After her position at SyStemix, Inc. Ann Tsukamoto went on to work at StemCells, Inc., where she received an 18 year tenure. Dr. Tsukamoto led a scientific team which discovered the human central nervous system stem cell (HuCNS-SC®), as well as a secondary stem cell “that transitioned the human neural stem cell into early clinical development in all three components of the CNS: brain, spinal cord, and eye.” [6]. Ann Tsukamoto’s leadership in guiding the scientific research team, as well as her academic and professional excellence - often commented on highly by her colleagues - allowed her to work up the company’s ladder, with her most recent position being the Executive Vice President for Scientific and Strategic Alliances at StemCells, Inc. [6]. However, inherent obstacles that arose in the company’s operations - challenges regarding developing complex cell therapy processes in a small biotech firm such as StemCells, with limited resources and funding - led the company to close its doors permanently in August 2016. Despite this, Dr. Tsukamoto’s contributions and legacy remains well alive and increasingly more relevant to current research in the field of cancer and stem cells.
References
- ^ "Ann Tsukamoto". See Jane. April 24, 2019. Retrieved August 7, 2021.
- ^ Baum, C. M.; Weissman, I. L.; Tsukamoto, A. S.; Buckle, A. M.; Peault, B. (April 1, 1992). "Isolation of a candidate human hematopoietic stem-cell population". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 89 (7): 2804–2808.
- ^ "Ann Tsukamoto: The Truth about Stem Cells". onthedotwoman.com. Retrieved August 7, 2021.
- ^ "US Patent for Human hematopoietic stem cell Patent (Patent # 5,914,108 issued June 22, 1999) - Justia Patents Search". patents.justia.com. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
“10 female inventors you should definitely know about.” (2020, February 17). ONE: Girls and Women. Last Retrieved April 19, 2022, from https://www.one.org/international/blog/10-female-inventors-you-should-definitely-know-about/
Ashlock, Sarah. (2020, May 3). Ann Tsukamoto: The Truth about Stem Cells. On The Dot Women. Last Retrieved April 18, 2022, from https://onthedotwoman.com/woman/ann-tsukamoto
“Profiles of Women Working In STEM: Ann Tsukamoto.” (2021). Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media. Last Retrieved April 19, 2022, from https://seejane.org/profile/ann-tsukamoto/
“Stem Cells Fast Facts.” (2021, May 28). CNN Health. Last Retrieved April 19, 2022, from https://www.cnn.com/2013/07/05/health/stem-cells-fast-facts/index.html
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
- Living people
- 20th-century American women scientists
- 21st-century American women scientists
- 1952 births
- Stem cell researchers
- 20th-century American biologists
- 21st-century American biologists
- American women biologists
- University of California, San Diego alumni
- University of California, Los Angeles alumni
- University of California, San Francisco alumni
- 21st-century American inventors
- Women inventors