Stanford Medicine

Stanford Medicine

Stanford Medicine

Stanford Medicine is a leader in the biomedical revolution, Stanford Medicine has a long tradition of leadership in pioneering research, creative teaching protocols and effective clinical therapies.
 
Our close proximity to the resources of the university — including the Schools of Business, Law, Humanities and Sciences, and Engineering, our seamless relationship with our affiliated adult and children’s hospitals, and our ongoing associations with the entrepreneurial endeavors of Silicon Valley, make us uniquely positioned to accelerate the pace at which new knowledge is translated into tangible health benefits.
 
While modest in size, Stanford's faculty has enormous impact. Stanford researchers have garnered a substantial portion of the National Institutes of Health Director’s Pioneer Awards, New Innovator Awards and Transformative Research Awards.
 
 
  • 1956 First use in Western hemisphere of linear accelerator to treat cancer
  • 1960 First kidney transplant in California; Surgeon Roy Cohn leads the first human kidney transplant operation on the West Coast.
  • 1962 First neonatal intensive care unit to allow parent visitation
  • 1964 Demonstration of electrical stimulation of auditory nerve in deaf patients, paving the way for cochlear implants
  • 1964 First successful clinical application of laser photocoagulation to treat detached retina (retinal)
  • 1964 Development of the first sleep apnea monitor for newborn infants
  • 1965 Development of technique for extracting anti-hemophilic globulin, the blood fraction needed to prevent bleeding in hemophiliacs
  • 1967 First synthesis of biologically active DNA in test tube
  • 1968 First adult human heart transplant in the United States
  • 1968 Discovery that insulin resistance is the principal physiologic characteristic of mild type-II diabetes and obesity
  • 1971 Discovery of RNA priming of DNA synthesis
  • 1971First multicenter trial to demonstrate that lowering cholesterol levels prevents heart disease
  • 1972 First construction of a recombinant DNA molecule containing DNA from two different species
  • 1972 First U.S. trial of community-wide health education for preventing heart disease
  • 1972 Discovery of a new class of immune response genes, suggesting for the first time that people may have predictable susceptibility to certain diseases
  • 1973 First expression of a foreign gene implanted in bacteria by recombinant DNA methods
  • 1974 Isolation of genome – genetic blueprint – of a virus that causes hepatitis B and a common form of liver cancer
  • 1975 Discovery of link between exercise and increased “good” (HDL) cholesterol levels
  • 1979 Discovery of dynorphin, a brain chemical 200 times more powerful than morphine
  • 1980 First creation of human hybridoma cell line
  • 1981 First successful human combined heart/lung transplant in the world (fourth attempted worldwide)
  • 1981 First report of successful use of monoclonal antibodies to treat cancer
  • 1983 Development with UC-San Diego of the first human monoclonal antibody for treating septic shock
  • 1984 Isolation of a gene coding for part of the T-cell receptor, a key to the immune system’s function
  • 1988 Isolation of pure hematopoietic stem cells from mice
  • 1988 Development of an animal model for studying the human immune system
  • 1989 Discovery of the “homing receptor,” which guides white blood cells into the peripheral lymph nodes
  • 1990 Discovery of “off-switch” for genetic reproduction in bacteria
  • 1992 Development of a genetically engineered vaccine to enhance patients’ immunological response against B-cell lymphoma
  • 1992 Discovered the gene underlying a group of diseases called the demyelinating peripheral neuropathies in which the protective covering on nerves breaks down and the nerves are unable to function properly
  • 1993 First functional image using time-resolved optics
  • 1993 First clinical trial testing methods for preventing eating disorders in adolescents
  • 1993 First demonstration that lifestyle changes and drug therapy decrease heart attack rates and slows progression of atherosclerosis in coronary arteries
  • 1994 Development of a technique that enables researchers to toggle genes on and off in experimental animals
  • 1994 Development of the new diagnostic instrument for rapid bedside screening of hemolysis in jaundiced newborns
  • 1995 Development of the microarray technology that allows researchers to see at once which genes of the thousands present in a cell are switched “on”
  • 1995 First optical imaging of infection in vivo
  • 1996 Discovery that the p53 protein, known to be involved in controlling cancerous tumors, works as an “emergency brake” on cancer development
  • 1996 Discovery that mutations in a single gene are responsible for the most common form of skin cancer in humans
  • 1997 First optical imaging of gene expression in vivo
  • 1997 Completion of a multicenter trial showing that standard chemotherapy for most children with early-stage non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma can be safely reduced
  • 1999 First experimental demonstration that limiting children’s television use prevents excess weight gain
  • 1999 Discovery of a genetic mutation that causes narcolepsy, a disabling sleep disorder affecting humans and animals
  • 2000 Solution of the structure of the RNA polymerase protein, a pivotal molecule that copies genes from DNA to RNA
  • 2000 Discovery of hereditary arthritis gene
  • 2000 First use of gene expression profiling to distinguish cancer sub-types
  • 2001 Participation in the successful international effort to complete the human genome sequencing project
  • 2001 Identification of a novel gene family involved in asthma
  • 2002 First use of RNAi to switch off genes in mice
  • 2002 First use of gene expression profiling to predict cancer outcomes
  • 2002 Discovery that training exercises can physically change the way the brain is wired
  • 2003 Discovery that Wnt genes, first discovered as critical genes in cancer, are also critical regulators of stem cell development
  • 2005 Discovery of obestatin, a hormone that suppresses appetite
  • 2006 Discovery of a protein that may explain why tumors in a low-oxygen environment are so deadly
  • 2007 Discovery that stem cells transplanted into the brains of rats and mice navigate toward areas damaged by stroke
  • 2007 Application and expansion of optogenetics, a technique to control brain cell activity with light
  • 2007 Identification of a pattern of gene expression shared by transplant patients who are able to stay healthy without anti-rejection drugs
  • 2008 Discovery of a molecule that kills kidney cancer cells
  • 2008 Development of a new type of imaging system that can illuminate tumors in living subjects, getting pictures with a precision of nearly one-trillionth of a meter
  • 2008 Development of a test that reduces the risks in testing for chromosomal disorders such as Down syndrome
  • 2009 A researcher sequences his own genome for less than $50,000 and with a team of just two others
  • 2009 Discovery of the first human bladder cancer stem cell
  • 2009 Discovery of a "don't-eat-me" signal that allows blood cancer stem cells to migrate safely through the body
  • 2010 For the first time, researchers use a healthy person's complete genome sequence to predict his risk for dozens of diseases
  • 2010 Scientists transform mouse skin cells directly into functional nerve cells with the application of just three genes
  • 2011 First use of aggregate patient data from electronic medical records to select treatment for a rare pediatric condition
  • 2011 Stanford/Packard scientists find new uses for existing drugs by mining gene-activity data banks
  • 2011 Scientists demonstrate that elevating the brain's susceptibility to stimulation can produce social deficits resembling those of autism and schizophrenia
  • 2011 Using skin cells from patients with a severe genetic heart defect, researchers create human heart cells with the same genetic mutation, allowing them to test drugs on the cells
  • 2012 New method allows sequencing of fetal genomes using maternal blood
  • 2012 Use of a single antibody caused human tumors transplanted into laboratory mice to disappeared or shrink
  • 2012 First-ever integrative 'omics' profile lets scientist discover, track his diabetes onset
  • 2013 A new technique induces egg growth in infertile women, and one gives birth
  • 2013 A hydrogel process developed at Stanford creates transparent brain
  • 2014 Study finds DNA of peanut-allergic kids changes with immune therapy
  • 2014 Study finds gene variant puts women at higher risk of Alzheimer’s than it does men
  • 2014 Study finds infusion of young blood recharges brains of old mice

Institutes

  • Child Health Research Institute
  • Stanford Cancer Institute
  • Stanford Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine
  • Stanford Cardiovascular Institute
  • Stanford Institute for Immunity, Transplantation and Infection

Institutes

  • Alzheimer's Disease Research Center
  • Asian Liver Center
  • Beckman Center
  • Canary Center at Stanford
  • Cardiothoracic Surgical Skills & Education Center.
  • Center for Advanced Pediatric & Perinatal Education
  • Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine & Imaging
  • Center for Asian Health Research and Education
  • Center for Biomedical Imaging at Stanford
  • Center for Clinical Immunology at Stanford
  • Center for Clinical Informatics
  • Center for Compassion & Altruism Research and Education
  • Center for Education & Research in Family & Community Medicine
  • Center for Excellence in Pulmonary Biology
  • Center for Genomics & Personalized Medicine
  • Center for Immersive & Simulation-based Learning
  • Center for Integration of Research on Genetics & Ethics
  • Center for Pediatric Policy, Outcomes & Prevention
  • Chase Hand & Upper Limb Center
  • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Research Center
  • Clinical Excellence Research Center
  • Conference Center at Li Ka Shing Center
  • Conte Center for Neuroscience Research
  • Cystic Fibrosis Center at Stanford
  • Diabetes Research Center
  • Freidenrich Center for Translational Research
  • Genome Technology Center
  • Goodman Simulation Center
  • Ludwig Center for Cancer Stem Cell Research and Medicine
  • March of Dimes Prematurity Research Center
  • Meta-Research Innovation Center at Stanford
  • Mood Disorders Center
  • National Biocomputation Center
  • Older Adult & Family Center
  • Pain Management Center
  • Presence
  • Sean N. Parker Center for Allergy Research
  • Spectrum Child Health
  • Stanford Blood Center
  • Stanford Center for Biomedical Research
  • Stanford Center for Cancer Systems Biology
  • Stanford Center for Clinical and Translational Research and Education
  • Stanford Center for Health Research on Women & Sex Differences in Medicine
  • Stanford Center for Inherited Cardiovascular Disease
  • Stanford Center for Medical Education Research & Innovation
  • Stanford Center for Mental Health and the Prevention of Premature Mortality
  • Stanford Center for Memory Disorders
  • Stanford Center for Narcolepsy
  • Stanford Center for Neuroscience in Women's Health
  • Stanford Center for Sleep Sciences & Medicine
  • Stanford Center for Urologic Genomics
  • Stanford Center for Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing
  • Stanford Concussion and Brain Performance Center
  • Stanford Down Syndrome Research Center
  • Stanford Geriatric Education Center
  • Stanford Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) Initiative
  • Stanford NHLBI Proteomics Center for Systems Immunology
  • Stanford Stroke Center
  • Stanford-Surgery Policy Improvement Research and Education Center (S-SPIRE)
  • Stanford University Center for Biomedical Ethics
  • Stanford University Geriatric Education Resource Center
  • Stanford/VA Alzheimer's Center
  • Surgical Center for Outcomes & Research Evaluation
  • VA Simulation Center
  • Vera Moulton Wall Center for Pulmonary Vascular Disease

Research Programs

  • 3D and Quantitative Imaging Lab
  • ALS Consortium of Epidemiologic Studies
  • Arts, Humanities & Medicine Program
  • Biomedical Data Science Initiative
  • Bipolar & Depression Research Program
  • Body Magnetic Resource Group
  • Cognitive Aids in Medicine Group
  • Complementary & Alternative Medicine Program
  • Depression Research Clinic
  • Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics Research Group
  • Eating Disorders Research Program
  • Human Performance Laboratory
  • Information Sciences in Imaging at Stanford
  • Laboratory for the Study of Behavioral Medicine
  • Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford
  • Network for Translational Research in Optical Imaging
  • Neurobehavorial Assessment of the Preterm Infant
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders Program
  • Population Health Sciences Initiative
  • Program in Bioethics & Film
  • Program on Prevention Outcomes & Practices
  • Program on Stem Cells in Society
  • Quality of Care for SMA Patients
  • Radiological Sciences Laboratory
  • SPARK Program
  • Stanford AIDS Clinical Trial Unit
  • Stanford Anesthesia Informatics & Media Lab
  • Stanford Autopsy Service
  • Stanford Brain Development Project
  • Stanford Center for Biomedical Ethics
  • Stanford Early Life Stress Research Program
  • Stanford Functional Genomics Facility
  • Stanford Initiative to Cure Hearing Loss
  • Stanford Internet-based Successful Aging (iSAGE) Project
  • Stanford Multidsciplinary Cutaneous Lymphoma Group
  • Stanford Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Initiative
  • Stanford Pediatric Bipolar Disorders Program
  • Stanford Program in Epithelial Biology
  • Stanford Research into the Impact of Tobacco Advertising
  • Stanford-LPCH Vaccine Program
  • Stanford/Packard Global Child Health Program
  • Systems Neuroscience & Pain Lab
  • Translational Research & Applied Medicine Program
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