2004 INDUCTEE James Till, PhD Cancer, Cells, Genetics & Genomics, Leadership in Organizational Development

Born:

August 25, 1931

(Lloydminster, Saskatchewan )

Education:

PhD, Yale University (1957)

Awards & Honours:

2001: R.M. Taylor Medal, National Cancer Institute of Canada and Canadian Cancer Society

2000: Fellow of the Royal Society of London

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Demonstrated the existence of stem cells

A pioneer in biomedical research

A pioneer in biomedical research James Till and Ernest McCulloch stunned the scientific world with their discovery of transplantable stem cells. Their ground-breaking study of the radiation sensitivity of normal mouse bone marrow cells in 1961 established, for the first time, a quantitative method to study individual stem cells in adult bone marrow. In collaboration with Dr. Lou Siminovitch, a trailblazer for molecular biology in Canada, they went on to prove that marrow cells were capable of self-renewal. Together, Till and McCulloch made many contributions to the understanding of normal and abnormal blood cell development as stem cells revolutionized the treatment of cancer and laid the foundations for regenerative medicine.

Ernest McCulloch and James Till were jointly nominated and inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame.

Key Facts

Their work informs the current interest in harnessing stem cells for therapeutic purposes

Completed pioneering basic research in other biomedical areas in defining the radiation sensitivity of cells

In later years, his interest turn to quality of life research, clinical studies, and medical ethics and became known as an innovator in quality of life research

Served on many national and international committees and in numerous leadership positions, including at the University of Toronto and the National Cancer Institute of Canada

Designated as University Professor by University of Toronto, a title only given to one per cent of faculty members

Professional timeline

Impact on lives today

It has been argued that virtually every development in modern hematology research and therapy can be traced back to the quantitative stem cell assay developed by Till and McCulloch. The concepts they developed and their rigorous descriptions of the properties of stem cells set the framework for all future stem cell research and innovation. For example, in 2010 Dr. Derek Van der Kooy used stem cells to restore sight to blind mice. Today, the expansive impact of their legacy is perhaps best reflected in the annual Till & McCulloch Meetings sponsored by the Stem Cell Network. Established in 2001 this meeting remains Canada’s premier stem cell research conference, bringing together over 400 delegates to discuss the insights Till and McCulloch inspired decades ago.

2023

September 14, 2020
Canada Post issued five stamps honouring six Canadian physicians and researchers whose discoveries have saved lives and revolutionized patient care around the world

CMHF Laureates, Drs. Bruce Chown, Julio Montaner, Balfour Mount, Vera Peters and James Till and Ernest McCulloch were honoured in this stamp series.
2005
Till and McCulloch published “Perspectives on the Properties of Stem Cells”
Cells, Genetics & Genomics
The article discussed the future possibilities for the use of stem cells.
September 30, 2004
James Till inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame

Ottawa, Ontario
1989
Till remained committed to stem cell research and took of new leadership roles in health research

In 1989, Till was appointed Chair of the Joint Task Force on the Future Needs for Biomedical Research in Canada. Later, in 2001, He became chair of the Knowledge Management Committee of the Stem Cell Network.
1980's
Dr. Till’s sphere of research expanded
Cancer
His areas of interest included quality of life research, clinical and epidemiological studies, research ethics, decision making behaviours of cancer patients and those at high risk of cancer, and the influence of the Internet as a source for information, support and advocacy.
1963
Till and McCulloch published their findings in "Nature"

In the article, Till and McCulloch demonstrated that spleen colonies arose from a single cell.
1960's
For the next 15 years, Till and McCulloch pursued stem-cell research.

In particular, they explored stem cells’ ability to produce multiple kinds of cells. Their research also pointed to the possibility of isolating viable stem cells.
1961
Till and McCulloch published their original paper describing stem cells in Radiation Research
Cells, Genetics & Genomics
It was the first paper to demonstrate that normal cells had a radiation sensitivity almost identical to that measured for numerous tumour cells in vitro and had an major influence in theories of radiation sensitivity.
1957
Dr. Till joined the University of Toronto

After completing his BSc and MSc in physics at the University of Saskatchewan her undertook some of his early work with Dr. Harold Johns. Later, a postdoctoral fellowship brought him to the University of Toronto in 1957 where he was recruited by Dr. Johns to work with the Ontario Cancer Institute at Princess Margaret Hospital.

1957

He has a remarkable intellect with boundless enthusiasm.

2004 INDUCTEE James Till, PhD Cancer, Cells, Genetics & Genomics, Leadership in Organizational Development

Demonstrated the existence of stem cells

Key Facts

Professional timeline

Impact on lives today

2023

1957

Additional Resources:

Sir William Osler, MD

Joseph Martin, MD PhD

2004 INDUCTEE James Till, PhD Cancer, Cells, Genetics & Genomics, Leadership in Organizational Development

Awards & Honours:

Demonstrated the existence of stem cells

Key Facts

Professional timeline

Impact on lives today

2023

1957

Additional Resources:

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Sir William Osler, MD

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