Mice as the Ribbon–History of Jackson Lab and animal model in Maine’s Biology History, an essay by Cathy Wang
What is in the image: The image shows the news report by Waterville Morning Sentinel, which informs the readers about the attitudes and provisions of Dr. Clarence C. Little, who was the president of Jackson Laboratory (JAX) at that time. Besides, the report conveys the $5,000 grant to Colby College for the potential collaboration to seek early diagnosis of cancer. This news report overall offered a comprehensive development of cancer research and collaboration at the state level.
When: May 6, 1948
By whom: The Waterville Morning Sentinel
Story:
This image recorded the article from Waterville Morning Sentinel on May 6, 1948, archived at Colby Special Collection. It described a generous grant for cancer research from the American Cancer Society, including Jackson Lab, Colby’s Biology department, and Chemistry department’s participation in future cancer research.
In the news report, Dr. Clarence C. Little expressed the positive provision for rehabilitation of the mice supply with the generous grant from the American Cancer Society. The rebuild of Jackson Laboratory from the fire potentially led to the close collaboration between Jackson Lab and Colby’s Biology Department in the next few years. Also, according to the news, Dr. William Holt, the president of the Maine Cancer Society, “presented the $5000 grant to Colby College,” which would be used for cancer research that was hoped to “lead to the discovery of a simple systemic test to determine either the present or absence of certain types of cancer.” Moreover, according to the news, Dr. Julius Gottlieb would collaborate with Colby’s Chemistry and Biology Department, suggesting the profound connection between Colby and Maine scientists. This news report marks the beginning of the cancer research that Colby’s biology department would be involved in, reflecting the crucial roles of both Colby and the Jackson Lab in Maine’s history of biology.
2. The Summary of the Activities of Colby Cancer Project (June 1948-May 1949)
What is in the image: This series of photos includes the detailed record of the Cancer research project that the Colby Biology and Chemistry Department participated in from June 1948 to May 1949. It was in the standard scientific report format, providing insights about the methods, results, and discussions about the research using Jackson Laboratory (JAX) mice as the animal model.
When: June 1948-May 1949
By Whom: Professor George Bowers
Story:
Both Colby’s Biology department faculty and students and the Jackson Lab (JAX) actively engaged in cancer research, which uses mice as the essential animal model. Such a fact was supported by the document “The Summary of the Activities of Colby Cancer Project.” Specifically, “2 cc of the residue concentrate was injected intraperitoneally in white rats weighing not less than 90gms or more than 110 gms” in the research to examine the efficacy and feasibility of the newly proposed test theory for cancer.
Also, this Cancer Project was closely related to the Clinical collected malignant urine of cancer patients in Maine’s hospitals, showing the clinical significance of the research that Colby’s biology department faculties and students were involved in. From this perspective, Colby and Jackson Lab (JAX) were profoundly related to the development of biology at the state level in history.
This report is in the standard format of the scientific report. It includes the detailed introduction, method, results, and discussion sections, presenting comprehensive information related to the one-year-long research. Colby faculties and students concluded that “there had been no significant trend manifest,” while suggesting possible changes and improvements in the future. Consequently, it shed light on future work with modifications of the methods and procedures on cancer research in Maine, which is beneficial to the biology advancement in the research arena.
This collaboration with JAX and Maine scientists and doctors was extraordinary support for Colby’s advancement in Biology research. Simultaneously, the collaboration serves as an excellent example of Jackson Lab’s community engagement regarding the development of biology research and mice model applications and advancement.
Curated by Cathy (Duan) Wang