Origins & Early Life

Leland Harrison "Lee" Hartwell (born October 30, 1939) is an American former president and director of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, Washington. He shared the 2001 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with Paul Nurse and Tim Hunt, for their discoveries of protein molecules that control the division (duplication) of cells. Working in yeast, Hartwell identified the fundamental role of checkpoints in cell cycle control, and CDC genes such as CDC28, which controls the start of the cycle—the progression through G1. Hartwell attended Glendale High School in Glendale, California, and then received his Bachelor of Science from the California Institute of Technology in 1961.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

In 1964, he received his PhD in biology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. From 1965 to 1968, he worked at the University of California, Irvine as a professor. He moved to the University of Washington in 1968. In a series of experiments from 1970 to 1971, Hartwell discovered the cell division cycle (CDC) genes in baker's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). These genes regulate the cell cycle and mutations in the genes are involved in some types of cancer.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Alphonse Mucha — Contemporary (Died in 1939) (1939): Master of Art Nouveau, famed for decorative posters and The Slav Epic.
• Amelia Earhart — Contemporary (Died in 1939) (1939): Iconic American aviator whose pioneering flights shaped early 20th-century aviation.
• Barry Mann — Contemporary (Born in 1939) (1939): American songwriter and musician known for successful collaborations, especially with Cynthia Weil.
• Angelica Kauffman — Shared historical date (10-30 · Born) (1741): Swiss history painter renowned for her successful careers in London and Rome.
• Claude Lévi-Strauss — Shared historical date (10-30 · Died) (2009): Pioneering structuralist anthropologist whose work redefined human culture and myth.
• Bobby Hull — Historical peer (Born in 1939) (1939): Iconic 'Golden Jet' of hockey, celebrated for speed and scoring prowess.
• Bobby Jones (singer) — Historical peer (Born in 1939) (1939): Pioneering gospel singer and television host from Nashville, Tennessee.
• Aaliyah — Historical peer (Died in 2001) (2001): Pioneering R&B artist known for redefining urban pop and hip hop sounds.
• Ahmad Shah Massoud — Historical peer (Died in 2001) (2001): Afghan military leader, known as the "Lion of Panjshir", fought against foreign occupations.
• Aaron Sorkin — Historical peer (Born in 1961) (1961): Master of fast-paced dialogue, known for 'walk and talk' storytelling.
• 1939 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1939
• October 30 (10-30) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on October 30