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Research Achievements

Research Achievements

For over a century, Lister Institute research staff and Fellows have been making discoveries that significantly impact human health. Here are just some of our research highlights, from smallpox vaccine development to the discovery of genetic fingerprinting.

Biochemistry

  • First synthesis of adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
  • Definition of the structure of co-enzyme A
  • Discovery that immunological specificity of bacteria is conferred by certain oligosaccharides on their surfaces
  • The biosynthesis, genetic control and chemical nature of the human A, B, H and Lewis blood group antigens

Understanding pathogens and disease mechanisms

  • Devising the method for identifying blood meals of insect vectors.
  • First description of L-forms of bacteria lacking cell walls.
  • Discovery that immunological specificity of bacteria is conferred by certain oligosaccharides on their surfaces.
  • Discovery of the Vi antigen of Salmonella typhi.
  • Motility of flagellated strains of salmonellas used to study phage transduction and its inheritance.
  • First description of the bacterial sex pilus and its exploitation for studying bacterial plasmids, including those conferring resistance to antibiotics.

Pioneering techniques in blood and blood products

  • Invention of ether method for fractionating plasma to obtain fibrinogen, thrombin, albumin, immunoglobulins etc. for clinical use.
  • Large-scale production of dried human plasma.
  • Development of the first clinically effective Factor VIII concentrate for treating haemophilia.
  • Development of the first anti-D immunoglobulin for treating rhesus-negative mothers.
  • Development of the radio-immunoassay used nationally to screen blood for hepatitis B.

Improving health around the world

  • Research leading to the banning of three toxic pesticides in Sri Lanka associated with self-poisoning.
  • Identifying and establishing the life cycles of trypanosomes, parasites which cause Human African sleeping sickness.
  • First isolations in West Africa and the UK of Chlamydias affecting the eye and genital tract.

Human biology and biochemistry

  • Discovery that DNA fingerprints are unique, except in identical twins, making Sir Alec Jeffreys the father of DNA profiling. This achievement led to a 1990 Queen’s award for Technological Achievement.
  • First synthesis of adenosine triphosphate (ATP).
  • Definition of the structure of co-enzyme A.
  • Discovery of sequential mutations in surface antigens and their hindrance on the development of protective immunity.
  • The biosynthesis, genetic control and chemical nature of the human A, B, H and Lewis blood group antigens.
  • Blood group genetic study and the establishment of reference centres (Medical Research Council Units).

How we drive ground-breaking research

The Institutes  focus is still on making major contributions to biomedical research. That work continues in our support of leading experts and exceptional early-career scientists through competitive research prizes. You can find out more about our research work in our 125th anniversary publication and in The Lister Institute of Preventive Medicine: a concise history, by Leslie Collier.

A PDF of Leslie Collier’s book is available free to download. If you have any issues accessing the file, please contact the Secretary via secretary@lister-institute.org.uk or use the contact form.