Elementary plant Biochemistry and Biotechnology (2+1)

Human insulin

Box 2. Human insulin

Box 2. Human insulin
The first “modern biotechnology” product (recombinant human protein of high value) that went to market was human insulin for treatment of diabetes mellitus. History of recombinant insulin:
1869: Längerhans discovers islets of Längerhans in pancreas.
1920's: Banting et al., detect insulin in pancreatic extracts of animals.
1922: First use of insulin from animals to treat human patients.
1979: Riggs et al., produce human insulin in E. coli.
1982: Human insulin is the first recombinant drug licensed for human use.