Many important events in medical research have occurred during the past 60 years, and it's been a period during which:
The structure of DNA was worked out, opening the way for a detailed understanding of inherited diseases and their treatment
Transplantation became a practical alternative for treating end-stage organ failure
Interferon, the first of a family of naturally occurring molecules called cytokines, was isolated, named and introduced for therapeutic use
Advanced scanning techniques were developed that transformed the diagnosis and understanding of many human diseases
Monoclonal antibodies were discovered, enabling highly specific targeting of medicines and providing new types of medication for many diseases
Techniques for in vitro fertilisation were developed, bringing hope to many childless couples
Smallpox, a centuries-old scourge of mankind, was eradicated from the planet
AIDS emerged, and with it the discovery of a family of human viral pathogens called retroviruses, of which HIV is one, leading to entirely new medicines to contain it
The first gene therapy procedure was carried out, opening the way to treating serious inherited diseases
The human genome was sequenced, laying the foundations in the coming decades for the development of many treatments for major diseases.
Select a decade below to find out more about the key events in medical research over the past 60 years: