Peyton Rous

Peyton Rous was born on October 5, 1879, in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. His work in medicine and research would eventually lead him to discover viruses that can cause cancer, reshaping our understanding of the disease.

In 1910, Peyton Rous joined the Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research in New York City. At the institute, he embarked on his revolutionary research that led to the discovery of viruses causing tumors, fundamentally changing scientific perspectives on cancer.

In 1911, Peyton Rous made a groundbreaking discovery of a virus that could cause cancer in chickens, later known as the Rous sarcoma virus. This was the first time a virus was shown to cause cancer, laying the foundation for future research in virology and oncology. This discovery faced skepticism but eventually led to important advancements in the understanding of cancer and viruses.

In 1912, Peyton Rous published detailed findings of his research on the now-known Rous sarcoma virus. This work established the framework for understanding cancer as not only a genetic but potentially an infectious disease, proposing a radical new idea in oncology.

In 1915, Peyton Rous introduced his findings on the transmissible nature of tumors in chickens to the broader scientific community. This work on avian tumors provided new insights into the mechanisms of oncogenesis and the role of infectious agents in cancer development.

In 1928, Peyton Rous was elected to the National Academy of Sciences in recognition of his significant contributions to medical science, particularly his work on tumor biology and virology. His election highlighted the impact of his research in the scientific community.

In 1945, Peyton Rous was awarded the Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research. This award was in recognition of his pioneering research on the complex relationship between viruses and cancer, and the role his discovery of the Rous sarcoma virus played in advancing cancer research.

In 1953, Peyton Rous became the editor of the Journal of Experimental Medicine, a position he held until 1968. This role allowed him to influence the field of medical research, guiding discussions and publication of significant scientific findings.

Peyton Rous was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1966 for his discovery of tumor-inducing viruses. His Nobel Prize came many years after his initial discovery, as the scientific community took time to accept the groundbreaking nature of his work linking viruses and cancer.

Peyton Rous passed away on August 14, 1970, at the age of 90. His contributions to the fields of virology and oncology through his discovery of the Rous sarcoma virus had a lasting impact on medical research and opened new avenues for understanding cancer.