Array ( [0] => {{Short description|Chinese-American virologist and molecular biologist (1946–2020)}} [1] => {{Use mdy dates|date=July 2020}} [2] => {{Infobox scientist [3] => | name = Flossie Wong-Staal [4] => | image = Flossie Wong-Staal (cropped).jpg [5] => | image_size = [6] => | alt = [7] => | caption = [8] => | birth_name = Wong Yee Ching [9] => | birth_date = {{Birth date|1946|8|27}} [10] => | birth_place = [[Guangzhou]], [[Guangdong]], Republic of China{{cite web|last1=Thomson|first1=Gale|title=Wong-Staal, Flossie|url=http://www.encyclopedia.com/article-1G2-2588825140/wong-staal-flossie-1946.html|website=Encyclopedia.com|access-date=September 6, 2015|date=2007}} [11] => | death_date = {{Death date and age|2020|7|8|1946|8|27}} [12] => | death_place = [[La Jolla]], California, U.S. [13] => | resting_place = [14] => | resting_place_coordinates = [15] => | residence = [16] => | citizenship = [17] => | nationality = [[Americans|American]] [18] => | fields = [[Virology]] [19] => | workplaces = [[University of California, San Diego]], iTherX [20] => | alma_mater = [[University of California, Los Angeles]] (Ph.D., 1972) [21] => | thesis_title = [22] => | thesis_url = [23] => | thesis_year = [24] => | doctoral_advisor = [25] => | academic_advisors = [[Robert Gallo]] [26] => | doctoral_students = [27] => | notable_students = [28] => | known_for = Cloning of [[HIV]] [29] => | author_abbrev_bot = [30] => | author_abbrev_zoo = [31] => | influences = [32] => | influenced = [33] => | awards = [34] => | signature = [35] => | signature_alt = [36] => | website = [37] => | footnotes = [38] => | spouse = [39] => }} [40] => [41] => '''Flossie Wong-Staal''' (née '''Wong Yee Ching''', {{zh|t=黄以静|p=Huáng Yǐjìng}}; August 27, 1946{{spnd}}July 8, 2020) was a Chinese-American [[virologist]] and [[molecular biologist]]. She was the first scientist to clone [[HIV]] and determine the function of its genes, which was a major step in proving that HIV is the cause of [[AIDS]]. From 1990 to 2002, she held the Florence Riford Chair in AIDS Research at the [[University of California, San Diego]] (UCSD). She was co-founder and, after retiring from UCSD, she became the chief scientific officer of Immusol, which was renamed {{Proper name|iTherX}} Pharmaceuticals in 2007 when it transitioned to a drug development company focused on [[hepatitis C]] and continued as chief scientific officer.{{cite news | title = Immusol Chief Scientific Officer, Flossie Wong-Staal, Ph.D., Named One of Top 50 Women Scientists | publisher = PR Newswire | date = October 15, 2002}} [42] => [43] => ==Early life== [44] => Wong-Staal was born as Wong Yee Ching in [[Guangzhou]], China, in 1946. The third child in her family of four, she grew up with two brothers and a sister. In 1952, her family was among the many Chinese citizens who fled to [[Hong Kong]] after the [[Communist revolution]] in the late 1940s. During her time in Hong Kong, Wong attended [[Maryknoll Convent School]], where she excelled in science.{{Cite web|url=http://www.biography-center.com/biographies/10406-Wong_Staal_Flossie.html|title=Biographies of Flossie Wong-Staal Scientists|website=www.biography-center.com|access-date=April 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170112082942/http://www.biography-center.com/biographies/10406-wong_staal_flossie.html|archive-date=January 12, 2017|url-status=dead}} Although no women in her family had ever worked outside the home or studied science, her parents supported her academic pursuits. Throughout her time at the school she was encouraged by many of her teachers to further her studies in the United States. Her teachers also suggested she change her name to something in English. Her father chose the name "Flossie" for her after a massive [[typhoon]] that had struck Southeast Asia around this time. [45] => [46] => ==Education== [47] => When she was 18, she left Hong Kong to attend the [[University of California, Los Angeles]], where she pursued a Bachelor of Science degree in bacteriology. She graduated [[Latin honors|cum laude]] in just three years. After earning her bachelor's degree, she went on to earn a Ph.D. in [[molecular biology]] from UCLA in 1972. She conducted her [[Postdoctoral researcher|postdoctoral]] work at the [[University of California, San Diego]], where she continued to research. [48] => [49] => ==HIV cloning== [50] => Her postdoctoral work continued until 1973, when she moved to [[Bethesda, Maryland]], to work for [[Robert Gallo]] at the [[National Cancer Institute]] (NCI). At the institute, Wong-Staal began her research into [[retroviruses]].{{cite book | title = Notable Asian Americans | url = https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780810396234 | url-access = registration | publisher = Gale Research | year = 1995| isbn = 9780810396234 }} Two years later, Wong-Staal became the first researcher to clone HIV. She also completed [[Genetic linkage|genetic mapping]] of the virus which made it possible to develop HIV tests.{{cite book|title=World of Health|url=https://archive.org/details/worldofhealthwor00brig|url-access=registration|publisher=Gale Group|year=2000|isbn=9780787636494 }} This led to the first genetic map of the virus, which aided in the development of blood tests for HIV. [51] => [52] => ==Research== [53] => In the late 1970s, Wong-Staal's team, alongside Dr. Gallo, conducted research on the human retrovirus, human T cell leukemia virus ([[Human T-lymphotropic virus 1|HTLV]]), and determined that it was the causative agent in human adult T cell leukemia. Her team specifically studied the molecular virology of HTLV-1 by examining its transcriptional activators and posttranslational regulators. This discovery was significant in the study of human retroviruses as there was prior debate as to whether retroviruses could cause human disease.{{Cite journal|last=Franchini|first=Genoveffa|date=2020-09-11|title=Flossie Wong-Staal (1946–2020)|url=https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abe4095|journal=Science|volume=369|issue=6509|pages=1308|doi=10.1126/science.abe4095|bibcode=2020Sci...369.1308F |s2cid=221593468 }} [54] => [55] => In 1990, Wong-Staal was recruited from NCI to the [[University of California, San Diego]] (UCSD), where she started the Center for AIDS Research. Wong-Staal continued her research into HIV/AIDS at UCSD. Wong-Staal's research focused on [[gene therapy]], using a [[ribozyme]] "molecular knife" to repress HIV in [[stem cells]]. The protocol she developed was the second to be funded by the United States government. In 1990 a team of researchers led by Wong-Staal studied the effects that the [[Tat (HIV)|Tat protein]] within the viral strain HIV-1 would have on the growth of cells found within [[Kaposi's sarcoma]] lesions commonly found in AIDS patients.{{Cite journal|last1=Ratner|first1=Lee|last2=Haseltine|first2=William|last3=Patarca|first3=Roberto|last4=Livak|first4=Kenneth J.|last5=Starcich|first5=Bruno|last6=Josephs|first6=Steven F.|last7=Doran|first7=Ellen R.|last8=Rafalski|first8=J. Antoni|last9=Whitehorn|first9=Erik A.|date=January 24, 1985|title=Complete nucleotide sequence of the AIDS virus, HTLV-III|journal=Nature|language=en|volume=313|issue=6000|pages=277–284|doi=10.1038/313277a0|pmid=2578615|bibcode=1985Natur.313..277R |s2cid=4316242 }} [56] => [57] => The team of researchers performed tests on a variety of cells that carried the Tat protein and observed the rate of cell proliferation in cells infected by HIV-1 and the control, a culture of healthy human [[Endothelium|endothelial cells]].{{Cite news |last=Schmeck Jr. |first=Harold M. |date=March 3, 1987 |title=Aids Virus: Studies Reveal Extraordinary Complexity |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/03/03/science/aids-virus-sutdies-reveal-extraordinary-complexity.html |access-date=July 10, 2020 |issn=0362-4331}} Wong-Staal used a type of cellular analysis known as [[Radioimmunoprecipitation assay buffer|radioimmunoprecipitation]] in order to detect the presence of KS lesions in cells with varying amounts of the Tat protein. The results of these tests showed that the amount of Tat protein within a cell infected by HIV-1 is directly correlated to the amount of KS lesions a patient may have. These findings were essential in developing new treatments for HIV/AIDS patients who suffer from these dangerous lesions.{{Cite journal|last=Wong-Staal|first=Flossie|date=1990|title=Tat Protein of HIV-1 Stimulates growth cells derived from Kaposi's sarcoma lesions of AIDS patients|url=http://hiv1tat-vaccines.info/publications/Ensoli%20et%20al%20(Nature%201990).pdf|journal=Nature|volume=345 |issue=6270 |page=84 |doi=10.1038/345084a0 |bibcode=1990Natur.345...84E |s2cid=4353813 |access-date=April 4, 2016|archive-date=February 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202011341/http://hiv1tat-vaccines.info/publications/Ensoli%20et%20al%20(Nature%201990).pdf|url-status=dead}} [58] => [59] => ==Achievements== [60] => In 1994, Wong-Staal was named as chairman of UCSD's newly created Center for AIDS Research.{{cite book|title=World of Microbiology and Immunology|publisher=Gale|year=2003}} In that same year, Wong-Staal was elected to the [[National Academy of Medicine|Institute of Medicine]] of the U.S. National Academies,{{Cite web|title=Celebrating Women in STEM: Dr. Flossie Wong-Staal – University News {{!}}|url=https://info.umkc.edu/unews/celebrating-women-in-stem-dr-flossie-wong-staal/|access-date=July 10, 2020|website=info.umkc.edu|archive-date=July 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731190813/https://info.umkc.edu/unews/celebrating-women-in-stem-dr-flossie-wong-staal/|url-status=dead}}{{cite news |title=Dr. Flossie Wong-Staal |url=https://nam.edu/member/?member_id=0L11Ai9uhxLa%2B0otnL2pow%3D%3D |access-date=September 11, 2023 |publisher=National Academy of Medicine}} and to Taiwan's [[Academia Sinica]].{{cite news |title=Flossie Wong-Staal |url=https://academicians.sinica.edu.tw/index.php?r=academician-n%2Fshow&id=106 |access-date=September 11, 2023 |publisher=Academia Sinica}} [61] => [62] => In 2002, Wong-Staal retired from UCSD and accepted the title of professor emerita. She then joined Immusol, a [[biopharmaceutical]] company that she co-founded with her second husband, Jeffrey McKelvy,Heidt, Amanda, ''[https://www.the-scientist.com/news-opinion/pioneering-molecular-virologist-flossie-wong-staal-dies-67737 Pioneering Molecular Virologist Flossie Wong-Staal Dies]'', ''[[The Scientist (magazine)|The Scientist]]'', July 14, 2020 while she was at UCSD, as chief scientific officer. Recognizing the need for improved drugs for hepatitis C (HCV), she transitioned Immusol to an HCV therapeutics focus and renamed it {{Proper name|iTherX}} Pharmaceuticals.Heidt, Amanda, ''[https://www.the-scientist.com/news-opinion/pioneering-molecular-virologist-flossie-wong-staal-dies-67737 Pioneering Molecular Virologist Flossie Wong-Staal Dies]'', ''[[The Scientist (magazine)|The Scientist]]'', July 14, 2020 [63] => [64] => That same year, ''[[Discover Magazine|Discover]]'' named Wong-Staal one of the fifty "most extraordinary women scientists". Wong-Staal remained as a research professor of medicine at UCSD until her death on July 8, 2020.[http://www.immusol.com/company.php?id=2 "Immusol"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070912220230/http://www.immusol.com/company.php?id=2 |date=September 12, 2007}}, immusol.com; accessed July 17, 2020. [65] => [66] => In 2007, ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' heralded Wong-Staal as #32 of the "Top 100 Living Geniuses".{{cite web |author=Robert Simon Jr. |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1567544/Top-100-living-geniuses.html | work=The Daily Telegraph | location=London | title=Top 100 living geniuses | date=October 28, 2007 | access-date=May 2, 2010}} [67] => [68] => For her contributions to science, the Institute for Scientific Information named Wong-Staal "the top woman scientist of the 1980s".{{Cite web|last=Robbins|first=Gary|date=July 10, 2020|title=Flossie Wong-Staal, pioneering UCSD virologist who helped identify AIDS cause, dies|url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/science/story/2020-07-09/flossie-wong-staal-obituary|access-date=July 10, 2020|website=San Diego Union-Tribune|language=en-US}} In 2019, she was inducted into the [[National Women's Hall of Fame]].[https://www.womenofthehall.org/inductee/flossie-wongstaal/ National Women's Hall of Fame, Flossie Wong-Staal] [69] => [70] => ==Personal life== [71] => In 1971, while doing her PhD at the UCLA, she married a fellow student, oncologist Stephen P. Staal. The couple had two daughters (Stephanie and Vega Staal), before divorcing around 1990. Wong-Staal later re-married to neurologist Jeffrey McKelvy, with whom she founded Immusol. She had four grandchildren.{{cite web |author=Faye Flam |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/17/science/flossie-wong-staal-who-unlocked-mystery-of-hiv-dies-at-73.html#:~:text=In%20addition%20to%20her%20husband,Patrick%20Wong%3B%20and%20four%20grandchildren|work=The New York Times | location= | title=Flossie Wong-Staal, Who Unlocked Mystery of H.I.V., Dies at 73 | date=July 17, 2020 | access-date=June 2, 2021}}{{cite web |author=Sarah Nelson |url=https://dailybruin.com/2020/08/06/biologist-flossie-wong-staal-remembered-for-pioneering-hiv-research-and-treatments|work=Daily Bruin | location=| title=Biologist Flossie Wong-Staal remembered for pioneering HIV research and treatments | date=August 6, 2020| access-date=June 2, 2021}} [72] => [73] => Wong-Staal died on July 8, 2020, at the age of 73, at [[Jacobs Medical Center]] in La Jolla, due to complications caused by pneumonia. [74] => [75] => ==See also== [76] => * [[Timeline of women in science]] [77] => [78] => ==References== [79] => ===Citations=== [80] => {{reflist}} [81] => [82] => ===General sources=== [83] => * {{cite journal | title = Science Superstar | journal = [[National Geographic World]] | date = June 1993 | pages = 25–27}} [84] => * {{cite journal | title = Intimate Enemies | journal = [[Discover (magazine)|Discover]] | date = December 1991 | pages =16–17}} [85] => * {{cite news | last = Clark | first = Cheryl | title = Researcher Stays Hot on the Trail of Deadly Virus | work = [[San Diego Union Tribune]] | date = November 11, 1992 | pages = C-1}} [86] => * {{cite journal | title = Science Leaders: Researchers to Watch in the Next Decade | journal = The Scientist | date = May 28, 1990 | pages =18–24}} [87] => [88] => ==External links== [89] => * [https://web.archive.org/web/20200407185530/https://history.nih.gov/NIHInOwnWords/docs/transcripts/wongstaal.html Flossie Wong-Staal Oral History] [90] => [91] => {{National Women's Hall of Fame}} [92] => {{authority control}} [93] => [94] => {{DEFAULTSORT:Wong-Staal, Flossie}} [95] => [[Category:1946 births]] [96] => [[Category:2020 deaths]] [97] => [[Category:Deaths from pneumonia in California]] [98] => [[Category:Members of Academia Sinica]] [99] => [[Category:American virologists]] [100] => [[Category:American women biologists]] [101] => [[Category:People from Guangzhou]] [102] => [[Category:Biologists from Guangdong]] [103] => [[Category:Chinese Civil War refugees]] [104] => [[Category:Chinese emigrants to the United States]] [105] => [[Category:Chinese women biologists]] [106] => [[Category:Educators from Guangdong]] [107] => [[Category:People from Bethesda, Maryland]] [108] => [[Category:Hong Kong emigrants to the United States]] [109] => [[Category:University of California, Los Angeles alumni]] [110] => [[Category:University of California, San Diego faculty]] [111] => [[Category:20th-century American biologists]] [112] => [[Category:20th-century American women scientists]] [113] => [[Category:21st-century American biologists]] [114] => [[Category:21st-century American women scientists]] [115] => [[Category:Members of the National Academy of Medicine]] [] => )
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Flossie Wong-Staal

Flossie Wong-Staal (née Wong Yee Ching, ; August 27, 1946July 8, 2020) was a Chinese-American virologist and molecular biologist. She was the first scientist to clone HIV and determine the function of its genes, which was a major step in proving that HIV is the cause of AIDS.

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