On October 25th, 1923 the Nobel prize in physiology or medicine was awarded to Frederick Grant Banting and John James Richard MacLeod “for the discovery of insulin”. The discovery was made in 1921 i.e., only two years before, which makes the time period between the detection and this prize one of the shortest in the history of the Nobel Prize.

World Diabetes Day Celebrates Dr. Banting’s Birthday and the Discovery of Insulin

Dr. Banting was born on November 14, 1891.  That is why we celebrate World Diabetes Day on November 14th.

During a hot summer in 1921, Dr. Banting secured space to test out his theory in the University of Toronto. Along with his colleague, Charles Best, and a bare bones lab, they conducted dozens of experiments on dogs, which ultimately led to the discovery of insulin. 

Dr. Banting and Charles Best began their experiments ligating the pancreases of dogs, thinking this would prevent destruction by the digestive pancreatic juices, and then isolating the extract from the islet cells. They then processed the extract from the islet cells and injected this extract they called “insulin” into diabetic dogs.  According to an audio Interview with Dr. Best, by July 1921, they had 75 positive examples of insulin lowering blood glucose levels in dogs. 

In February 1922, doctor Frederick Banting and biochemist John Macleod published their paper on the successful use of a alcohol based pancreatic extract for normalizing blood glucose levels in a human patient.

Here are some photos of the first insulin bottles produced by the University of Toronto and Eli Lilly.

Soon, word of their discovery got out and the race was on to produce enough insulin to treat the flood of type 1 patients arriving in Toronto to receive this miracle injection.

First Children to Receive Insulin

The first patient to receive insulin was a ‘welfare’ case at Toronto General Hospital – no clinical trial structure to say the least. People from Canada/US flooded into Toronto to receive treatment. Banting struggled with the lack of accessibility of insulin – volume needed and issues of purification.

The earliest patients were “selected”, some youths from Canada/US, some soldiers with diabetes (probably because of Banting’s service in the First World War) and then later some select private patients. During this time they were working hard to increase the volume and continue to improve the purification process. Insulin was available for testing in US, namely through Dr. Elliot Joslin in the late summer 1922.

Dr. Banting – Fun and Interesting Facts

• • Sold insulin patent for $1

• • Was wounded during the First World War and received the Military Cross

• • Youngest Nobel Laureate in Medicine

• • First Canadian on the cover of Time Magazine

• • Among the last Canadians to receive a knighthood and have the title Sir Frederick Banting

• • One of only two “non-Americans” to have a Second World War Liberty Ship named after him (USS Frederick Banting)

• • Has as a crater on the Moon named after him (between Apollo 15 & 17 landing sites).

Takes a Team

While Best played a critical and important role, credit must also go to Professor Macleod, from the University of Toronto, who provided the lab space, showed Dr. Banting how to operate on dogs, provided his student Best and suggested they switch from a saline to alcohol to purify the ‘extract’.  Dr. Macleod also secured the support of JB Collip, the 4th man on the team and the fist person to purify insulin for human use. Best is also known for pushing Banting to return to the research during a particular dark period of failure.

Want to Learn More About the Dr. Banting and the Discovery of Insulin?

Historical Insulin Powerpoint Slides – here is a collection of some of my favorite powerpoint slides, depicting the discovery of insulin.

 Visit Banting House Facebook Page

Canadian Broadcast that highlights the first patient, Ted Ryder, the first patient to receive insulin from Dr. Banting. Some great historic video footage of Dr. Banting shaking hands with the young man..

The Quest – 1958  This short film is a re-enactment of the critical year in Dr. Frederick Banting’s life when he discovered insulin for the treatment of diabetes at the University of Toronto. It depicts the odds against which he and his assistant, Charles Best, worked; the scepticism of other doctors and the final victory that gave thousands of diabetics hope for a healthier life.

Historical Insulin Powerpoint Slides – here is a collection of some of my favorite powerpoint slides, depicting the discovery of insulin.

Banting Historical Site Facebook Page

The Flame – Banting House Historical Site Newsletter

Banting House Blog full of interesting facts

Grant Maltman – Banting House Curator and Historian