Posted: Jan 14, 2021 8:00 AM MT | Last Updated: January 14
James Betram Collip, who worked at the University of Alberta from 1915 until 1928, played a key role in the discovery of insulin a century ago.(University of Alberta Archives)
In 1923, scientists Frederick Banting and John Macleod were jointly awarded a Nobel Prize Canada s first for discovering insulin.
Nearly 100 years later, a lesser-known member of their research team is gaining recognition for his role in one of Canada s biggest medical breakthroughs.
99 years ago this month, University of Alberta professor James Collip managed to purify a pancreatic extract so it could be used on humans.
Back then, people with diabetes did not live for long, but thanks to insulin, millions of lives have been saved.