Fall

08

24 March 2014

Heroes of Medical Science:

Suzanne Cory
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Foundations
MFAC1501
Word Count:

University of New South Wales

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Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION
PART 1: SUZANNE CORY AND HER CONTRIBUTION TO THE DISCIPLINE OF
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
THE DISCIPLINE OF MOLECULAR BIOLOGY, ONCOLOGY AND IMMUNOLOGY
BRIEF BIOGRAPHY
CORYS CONTRIBUTION TO MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
PART 2: AN EVALUATION OF SUZANNE CORYS WORK AND THE STATE OF
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY FROM 1970-2000
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY FROM 1970-2000
EVALUATION OF CORYS WORK TO MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
PART 3: REFLECTION
APPENDIX

HEROES OF MEDICAL SCIENCE: SUZANNE CORY

Introduction
Science and its progression is attributed to the heroes who have
toiled through countless experiments to bring us our knowledge
today. Suzanne Cory is one of these heroes and has played a
pioneering role not just with her research into the field of molecular
biology, but also as a remarkable role model for girls and women in
science. This report seeks to encapsulate Corys biography and her
contribution to medical science with its subsequent impacts on
immunology, oncology and medical research. It will also define
molecular biology, the state of knowledge at the time of Corys
research and its underlying importance to the practice of medicine.
While Corys inspiring position as a role model for female scientists
is just as important as her scientific research, I will not be outlining
that in my report due to word constraints(Suzanne, 2013). Finally, I
will be reflecting on my process of learning in this report.

Part 1: Suzanne Cory and her contribution to

the Discipline of Molecular Biology
The Discipline of Molecular Biology, Oncology and
Immunology
Molecular biology is the study of
the molecules that are
associated with living
things, particularly
proteins and genetic
material such as DNA and
RNA (Press, 2010). It is an
essential discipline for
understanding the
structure and function of
the basic unit of life, the
cell. This knowledge in
turn, is vital for the
understanding of
pathology, anatomy,
embryology and
physiology. (Asifa et al., 2011)
Oncology has been defined as the study and treatment of tumours
(abnormal growths)(Chadd, Jean, & Edward, 1999; Press).
Figure 1. A cell undergoing mitosis in
the anaphase, an important aspect
of molecular biology.

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Immunology is the discipline associated with the immune system
and all its phenomena(Press).

Brief Biography
Suzanne Cory was raised in Victoria, Australia
and attended high school at Canterbury Girls
High School and the University High School
before enrolling at Melbourne
University(Tattam, 2000). It was during her
undergraduate studies that Cory became
fascinated with DNA, a relatively new
discovery at the time. Following her Masters
degree, Cory travelled to Cambridge
University in England to work in the MRC
Laboratory of Molecular Biology (MLB); then
known as the mecca of molecular
biology(Dennis, 2002). Here she met several
Nobel Prize winners including Professor
Francis Crick, the co founder of the molecular structure of DNA,
reinforcing that there were no half-measures in science the
commitment has to be all or nothing(Dennis). She also met her
husband, Professor Jerry Adams, in Cambridge and together the pair
would produce some of the most astounding work in immunology,
oncology and genetics(Tattam).
Figure 2. Dr Jerry

Following her many discoveries in the years

Adams, Cory's husband
and research partner.
to come, Cory was appointed as the first
female in the position of Director of WEHI in
1996 as well as the Royal Medal of the Royal Society in
2002(Dennis). She also has a high school (the Suzanne Cory High
School) named after her("Professor Suzanne Cory-AC, PhD, PresAA,
FRS," 2014). She currently lives with Adams and her two children.

Corys contribution to Molecular Biology

Corys research has been numerous with at least 162 research
articles where she has been referenced as the author. Following her
work in Cambridge, Cory and Adam began work in the University of
Geneva(Tattam). They studied the genetic sequence of RNA,
specifically the R17 bacteriophages RNA in order to gain a greater
understanding of RNA messaging("Professor Suzanne Cory-AC, PhD,
PresAA, FRS," 2014). The pair then returned to Australia to begin
work in the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute (WEHI) and introduced
gene cloning technology to the relatively new field of molecular
biology in Australia(Dennis). Using this technology, Cory and Adams
cloned the genetic code of the immune system and discovered how
humans are able to produce antibodies with staggering possibilities;
the genes for antibodies are actually encoded as separate sections
which are able to be combined in incredible diverse ways(Tattam).
4

HEROES OF MEDICAL SCIENCE: SUZANNE CORY

Cory and Adam followed up their research by then studying cancer,

specifically Burkitts lymphoma. The pair were able to deduce that
Burkitts lymphoma started off as chromosomal translocation, that
is, the incorrect arrangement of antibody genes(Tsujimoto,
Cossman, Jaffe, & Croce, 1985). Furthermore this mixing of the
gene code would activate the MYC oncogene (cancer-causing gene)
that eventually developed into the blood cancer(J. M. Adams et al.,
1985). They provided significant evidence by using their new
technology and modifying the antibody genes in mice to create mice
with lymphomas(J. M. Adams et al., 1985).
Perhaps her most
famous work was the
explanation of the
BCL-2 family of
proteins in molecular
biology and
pathology,
specifically its role in
cancer(Cory &
Adams, 2002). Cory
Figure 3. Three of the proteins belonging to the
and Adams observed
BCL-2 family.
that this family of
proteins were crucial in the life cycles of cells because they acted as
regulators of apoptosis (programmed cell death)(Suzanne, David, &
Jerry, 2003). Specifically, these proteins were able to control
apoptosis by inhibiting the signals that would tell a cell to being
dismantling (Jerry M. Adams & Cory, 1998). Furthermore they
touched on the distant relatives of the BCL-2 proteins that actually
prevented apoptosis instead of promoting it. These discoveries were
very influential and revolutionary at the time due to a high interest
in the causes of cancer and cell life cycles(Hanahan & Weinberg,
2000). Cory and Adams further extrapolated their work and
explained the role of BCL-2 in cancers(Jerry M. Adams & Cory, 1998).
Prior to Corys work, all cancers were found to have originated from
excessive cell growth(Hanahan & Weinberg, 2000). Cory showed
that human follicular lymphoma was caused by cells that had
unnatural life and linked this back to the workings of the BCL-2
protein(Jerry M. Adams & Cory, 1998; Dennis, 2002).

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Part 2: An Evaluation of Suzanne Corys work

and the state of molecular biology from
1970-2000
Molecular biology from 1970-2000
In the 1970s, there were very few molecular biologists in
Australia(Tattam, 2000). In fact, when Cory and Adams returned to
Australia from their work in Canada they helped introduce the new
recombinant gene technology into Australia (Dennis, 2002). The
timeline below is a good illustrator of the level of knowledge that
scientists had about just the MYC oncogene from 1979 to
2007(Natalie & Linda, 2008). Clearly the field of molecular biology
was extremely broad and scientists at the time of Corys work had
only just began to brush the surface. At the time Corys research in
the field of oncology and immunology was a relatively new specialty

for molecular biology. Her work was conducted in a time when the
genetics of cancer was mostly unexplored territory (Natalie & Linda,
2008).

HEROES OF MEDICAL SCIENCE: SUZANNE CORY

Figure 4. A timeline of MYC research.

Evaluation of Corys work to Molecular Biology

Cory contribution to
molecular biology,
oncology and
immunology has
been numerous and
crucial.
Corys work in
identifying the
chromosomal
translocation of
Burkitts lymphoma
and the importance
of oncogene MYC
was part of the
pioneering into the
genetics of cancers
and how they
propagated at a
molecular level
(Hanahan &
Weinberg, 2000;
Figure 5. The tree of MYC knowledge. This is a clear
Natalie & Linda,
indicator that Corys research into Burkitts
2008; Richard &
lymphoma had a significant impact on
Andreas, 2008).
understanding MYC and its role in cancer.
Indeed her welldocumented experiments of mice with the MYC oncogene has been
cited 652 times according to Scopus (J. M. Adams et al., 1985),
showing the remarkable impression left by Cory and Adams.
Furthermore, Natalie and Linda (2008) directly refer to the pairs
work on Burkitts lymphoma as a foundation for subsequent
understanding in MYC oncogene function, behavior and possible
treatments for cancers caused by this gene. All of the above sources
indicate that Corys early work in molecular biology was essential to
todays knowledge of immunology and oncology.
Building upon her work in genetics and chromosomal translocation,
Corys discovery of the BCL-2 family of proteins has been regarded
as her most outstanding contribution (Dennis, 2002; Tattam, 2000).
Prior to Cory and her teams discovery of the BCL-2 proteins and
their function, scientists thought cancers only developed through
the multiplication of malignant cells (Dennis, 2002; Richard &
Andreas, 2008). Cory was able to discover and show that cancer
could also be caused by cells having unnatural lifespans instead; a
revolutionary idea in oncology at the time(Jerry M. Adams & Cory,
1998). This paper Furthermore Cory was able to link this idea to the

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BCL-2 proteins that monitored apoptosis (programmed cell death),
providing potential leads for cures and treatments (Jerry M. Adams &
Cory, 1998; Hanahan & Weinberg, 2000). Tattam (2000) provides
glowing reviews and praise from scientists of Corys contribution to
immunology and oncology, including Nobel Laureate David
Baltimores (Medicine) who stated: their discovery of
the MYC translocation in Burkitt lymphomas was a crucial
observation and the discovery that BCL-2 can counter cell death was
striking. Clearly, Corys investigations into this protein family has
been significant to say the least. It is now known that there are
several growth patterns associated with cancer, of which evasion of
apoptosis is one (Hanahan & Weinberg, 2000). While Corys work
was outstanding, there is still much to be answered and understood.
Cory herself acknowledges that the topic is complex and
fundamental concerns such as the exact molecular mechanisms of
BCL-2 need to be analysed (Jerry M. Adams & Cory, 1998; Dennis,
2002; Tattam, 2000).
In summary, it is evident that Cory produced plenty of important
breakthroughs and advances in her research with Adams. According
to the Scopus database, her 162 papers have been cited a
staggering 20765 times, allowing us to infer that her work has had
significant impacts on the scientific community as a whole. As
shown above, it has been acknowledged that her work is leading
eventually to the complete understanding and perhaps even cure
for some of the cancers associated with the BCL-2 proteins and the
MYC oncogenes. These will be outstanding breakthroughs in the
practice of medicine.

HEROES OF MEDICAL SCIENCE: SUZANNE CORY

Part 3: Reflection
Beginning this assignment, I honestly had no idea what I was in for. I
had very little knowledge about any of the scientists apart from
Graeme Clark but decided to choose Suzanne Cory instead. This was
primarily because I wanted the challenge of researching and
learning a completely new topic without prior knowledge. Im
actually very glad I picked Cory because she hasnt just been a hero
of medical science, but also a hero and role model for women and
girls interested in science everywhere. I feel that that I have a
greater understanding of molecular biology and its importance in
my studies to become a doctor. I remember being able to
understand a pathology lecture involving apoptosis in my third week
because of my research in this field while studying Corys work.
As a typical high school leaver, my first point of call when
researching for this assignment was the use of Google and various
medical dictionaries. Using these helped me gain a general outline
of the topic at hand, but I was also conscious that my online sources
werent necessarily reputable. I had difficulty using databases to
find scholarly material at first, but following the library research
tutorials, I began to use Medline, Scopus, Cochrane Library and the
Oxford Reference Site. I also had trouble learning how to reference
properly, but like above, the library research tutorials really helped
me overcome this obstacle. Those two examples above made me
realize how difficult self-directed learning was, but I also gained
new skills which I look forward to applying in future assignments.
My biggest trouble was having too many words. An example of this
was not being able to explain Corys significance as a highlyacclaimed Australian female scientist. I had initially provided a 300
word section on her impact as a role model but decided that this
report was primarily about the science behind her research. I had to
reluctantly cut this out, but the knowledge and respect for her work
has given me a new perception about contemporary science.
In SG, I handed my draft in to Wendy who was also completing a
report on Suzanne Cory. While reading his work, I began to reflect on
my own essay. I was inspired by Wendys ability to write fluidly
which I felt my essay didnt have. Wendy commented that my essay
required deeper understanding in the evaluation part of Corys work
and that my introduction was too brief. Taking both Wendys and my
own criticisms, I returned to my draft and reconstructed my
introduction as well as the evaluation section. I have learnt that peer
reviewing is essential because we can become blind to our faults
unintentionally. Peer reviewing will become a necessary part of my
assignments in the future.

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HEROES OF MEDICAL SCIENCE: SUZANNE CORY

References
Adams, J. M., & Cory, S. (1998). The Bcl-2 Protein Family: Arbiters of
Cell Survival. Science, 281(5381), 1322-1326. doi:
10.2307/2896432
Adams, J. M., Harris, A. W., Pinkert, C. A., Corcoran, L. M., Alexander,
W. S., Cory, S., . . . Brinster, R. L. (1985). The c- myc oncogene
driven by immunoglobulin enhancers induces lymphoid
malignancy in transgenic mice. Nature, 318(6046), 533. doi:
10.1038/318533a0
Asifa, A., Elaine, F., Tim, M., Reuben, J. S., Daniel St, J., Andreas,
S., . . . Marino, Z. (2011). A decade of molecular cell biology:
achievements and challenges. Nature Reviews Molecular Cell
Biology, 12(10), 669. doi: 10.1038/nrm3187
Chadd, E. N., Jean, M. T., & Edward, V. P. (1999). MYC oncogenes and
human neoplastic disease. Oncogene, 18(19), 3004. doi:
10.1038/sj.onc.1202746
Cory, S., & Adams, J. M. (2002). The Bcl2 family: regulators of the
cellular life-or- death switch. Nature Reviews Cancer, 2(9),
647.
Dennis, C. (2002). Suzanne Cory. Nature medicine, 8(3), 203.
Hanahan, D., & Weinberg, R. A. (2000). The Hallmarks of Cancer.
Cell, 100(1), 57-70. doi: 10.1016/S0092-8674(00)81683-9
Natalie, M., & Linda, Z. P. (2008). Reflecting on 25 years with MYC.
Nature Reviews Cancer, 8(12), 976. doi: 10.1038/nrc2231
Press, O. U. (2010). Concise Medical Dictionary: 'Oxford University
Press'.
Professor Suzanne Cory-AC, PhD, PresAA, FRS. (2014). from
http://www.suzannecoryhs.vic.edu.au/professor-suzanne-cory
Richard, J. Y., & Andreas, S. (2008). The BCL- 2 protein family:
opposing activities that mediate cell death. Nature Reviews
Molecular Cell Biology, 9(1), 47. doi: 10.1038/nrm2308
Suzanne, C. (2013). Institutions: Australian academy is fair to
women. Nature, 497(7450), 439. doi: 10.1038/497439c
Suzanne, C., David, C. S. H., & Jerry, M. A. (2003). The Bcl-2 family:
roles in cell survival and oncogenesis. Oncogene, 22(53),
8590. doi: 10.1038/sj.onc.1207102
Tattam, A. (2000). Suzanne Cory: combining individuality with
teamwork. Lancet, 355(9210), 1164.
Tsujimoto, Y., Cossman, J., Jaffe, E., & Croce, C. M. (1985).
Involvement of the bcl-2 gene in human follicular lymphoma.
Science, 228, 1440.
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Biographical
materials on
Suzanne Cory

UNSW Library

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Original
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Medline

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Overview of
molecular
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Medline

Overiew of
cancer
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Nature Reviews

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Cancer

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Asifa,

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