Charles Best

Charles Best. Charles Herbert Best was a Canadian physiologist and one of the co-discoverers of insulin, a breakthrough that transformed the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Working under the direction of Frederick Banting at the University of Toronto in 1921, his skilled technical assistance was crucial in isolating and proving the therapeutic effect of the pancreatic extract. Although the 1923 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to Banting and John Macleod, Best's pivotal role was widely recognized, and he enjoyed a long, distinguished career advancing medical research in Canada and internationally.

Early life and education

Born in West Pembroke, Maine, to Canadian parents, Best moved to Toronto as a child. He enrolled at the University of Toronto, initially studying toward a degree in physiology and biochemistry. His education was interrupted by service in World War I, where he served with the Canadian Army. After the war, he returned to his studies and, in 1921, was a final-year medical student when he was selected by Frederick Banting to serve as his research assistant for a summer project investigating the pancreas. This position, arranged by Professor John Macleod, placed him at the center of one of the most significant medical discoveries of the 20th century.

Discovery of insulin

In the summer of 1921, working in a small laboratory at the University of Toronto, Best provided essential technical expertise to Banting's experiments. He was instrumental in perfecting the surgical procedure of pancreatectomy in dogs and in developing the method to extract the active principle from the islets of Langerhans. Together, they successfully treated diabetic dogs, with Best managing the complex assays for blood sugar levels. The collaboration later expanded to include biochemist James Collip, who purified the extract for human use. The first successful injection of insulin into a human patient, Leonard Thompson, occurred at the Toronto General Hospital in January 1922, heralding a new era in endocrinology.

Later career and research

Following the insulin work, Best completed his medical degree and assumed a leading role in Canadian science. He succeeded Macleod as head of the University of Toronto's Department of Physiology in 1929. His subsequent research was prolific, focusing on choline and the prevention of fatty liver disease, the physiology of heparin and its development as an anticoagulant, and further studies in diabetes. During World War II, he served as a key advisor to the Canadian government and the Royal Canadian Navy, directing important medical research for the military. He was a founding member and director of the Banting and Best Department of Medical Research.

Awards and honors

Despite being omitted from the 1923 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, which Banting shared with Macleod, Best received numerous subsequent accolades acknowledging his contribution. Banting famously shared his prize money with Best. Best was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of London and served as president of the American Diabetes Association. His honors included the Flavelle Medal of the Royal Society of Canada, the Order of the British Empire, and the prestigious Lasker Award. Many institutions bear his name, including the Best Institute at the University of Toronto.

Personal life and legacy

In 1924, he married Margaret Mahon, and the couple had two sons. Best maintained a lifelong association with the University of Toronto and was a passionate advocate for public funding of scientific research. He died in Toronto in 1978. His legacy is inextricably linked to the discovery of insulin, which saved millions of lives and established Canada as a leader in biomedical research. The Banting and Best Diabetes Centre and numerous professorships and awards continue to honor his memory, cementing his status as a national scientific icon.

Category:Canadian physiologists Category:1899 births Category:1978 deaths Category:University of Toronto alumni Category:University of Toronto faculty Category:Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine Category:Diabetes researchers