1950–1959

Pharmacist working in a laboratory in the 1950s

Pharmacist working in a laboratory © Vetta stock photo

Timeline of key medical research achievements in the 1950s:

1952

Salk polio vaccine developed (US)

1953

DNA Double helix discovered by Watson and Crick

1954

First successful kidney transplantation in USA

1955

First oral treatment for diabetes introduced (Germany)

1957

Interferon first isolated and named by Isaacs and Lindenman at the National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR), London
Imipramine shown to be effective in depression
Halothane (ICI/Zeneca) anaesthetic gas introduced

1959

First semi-synthetic penicillin marketed

On to 1960–1969

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