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development

Development: 1954-1983

Following the 1953 establishment of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, a select group of advisors to Mr. Hughes charted the fields of biomedical research to be supported by the Institute. By 1984, investigations were focused on four scientific areas—cell biology, genetics, immunology, and neuroscience—with a fifth, structural biology, being added the following year. During its first three decades, the Institute also developed a relationship with its researchers that has proven singularly productive. Hughes investigators are employed by the Institute but conduct their research in the laboratories of their host institutions, allowing for a cross-fertilization of ideas and people that has effects throughout the biomedical sciences.

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1954

Mr. Hughes announces the creation of his nonprofit charitable institution.

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1956

George Thorn, M.D.
George Thorn, M.D. is appointed director of research; Robert J. Boucek, M.D. and Robert A. Nelson, Jr., M.D. begin working under the auspices of HHMI.

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1957

By now, the Institute has 47 investigators conducting research at eight different academic medical centers.

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1959

Dr. Robert Nelson
HHMI establishes laboratories of microbiology in Miami for Dr. Robert Nelson and his staff.

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1969

The Tax Reform Act affirms HHMI's tax-free status as a medical research organization (MRO).

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1976

Mr. Hughes dies of chronic kidney disease on April 5 aboard a plane en route from Acapulco to Boston, which makes an emergency landing in Houston.

The Medical Advisory Board begins to redefine and expand the research program.

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1978

The Institute's available funds and staff are growing rapidly; an administrative headquarters and scientific conference center is purchased.

The Scientific Advisory Committee is reconstituted to become the Scientific Advisory Board.

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1981

Dr. Thorn becomes president.

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1982

The scientific advisors begin recruitment for a neurosciences program.

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1983

Entering its fourth decade, the Institute is concentrating its research efforts in four areas: genetics, immunology, metabolic regulation (later to be called cell biology) and neuroscience.