SIVB Lifetime Achievement Award

The highest honor given by the Society for In Vitro Biology is the Lifetime Achievement Award. It is presented to scientists who are considered pioneers or highly influential researchers to the science and art of cell culture. They are men and women who have devoted their careers to exemplary research and/or teaching. The recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award are selected by vote of the Board of Directors from a list of nominations recommended by the Awards Committee. The Society for In Vitro Biology honored Dr. Paul J. Price and Dr. William J. Smith with SIVB Lifetime Achievement Awards at the 2013 In Vitro Biology Meeting. This issue highlights Dr. Paul Price’s career. Dr. William Smith’s career will be highlighted in a future issue of the In Vitro Report.

Dr. Paul J. Price received his Ph.D. from George Washington University with a triple major in Cell Biology, Biochemistry, and Virology. He has held many positions in industry and government. These include: Branch Chief, Centers for Disease Control, founder and Executive Vice-President of Hycor Biomedical (later called Stratagene), Senior Research Fellow at GIBCO Invitrogen/Life Technologies, and more recently as CSO of D-Finitive Cell Technologies. Paul has demonstrated a long term commitment to the Society and to cell and tissue culture including cell culture media development. He has been a member of the SIVB since 1959 (54 years). He has consistently attended the Society’s meetings, missing only three meetings. Paul has willingly volunteered his time to the Society serving on many committees, and served as President from 2006-2008.

In his service to the CDC, Paul was involved in helping laboratories in South America isolate and identify viruses introduced from the developed world. His efforts may have resulted in saving many lives.

Dr. Price is internationally recognized for his expertise in developing culture media for cell cultures from various species with a special emphasis on human cells. Paul has developed a large number of culture media including numerous specialty media for the culture of neurons, stem cells, and other mammalian cells, including those used in bio-production as well as the first animal-origin-free (AOF) medium used in the production of viral vaccines. In his presentation, Dr. Price presented an overview of the evolution of culture media development with special emphasis on the many media and formulations that have resulted from his work. Some of the media Dr. Price developed/co-developed or commercialized include:

• Opti-MEM 1 – a major AOF medium used: as a diluents in gene transfection with cationic lipids such as Lipofectamine 2000; as a basal medium for the growth of mesenchymal stem cells; and by the Animal Vaccine Industry.
• OptiPRO SFM – an AOF medium used for viral and recombinant protein production and as a basal medium for the growth of mesenchymal stem cells.
• Advanced DMEM, DMEM:F12, RPMI1640, and MEM – which allow reduction in serum-supplementation to < 2%.
• Neurobasal, Neurobasal-A – AOF basal formulations for the growth of neuronal and neural progenitor cells after supplementation w/B27 or N-2.
• Hibernate-E, Hibernate-A – AOF basal formulations for the manipulation of neuronal cells in ambient air and transport of brain tissue after supplementation w/B27.
• KSR or KOSR – the gold standard supplement for the undifferentiated expansion of ES and iPS cells. Recommended additive to Low Osmo DMEM or Low Osmo DMEM:F12.
• VP-SFM – First AOF complete medium for attachment-dependent cells. Very popular medium for human viral vaccine production.
• TrypLE- Recombinant (from a fungus) trypsin-like enzyme linked to EDTA for the dissociation of cells from each other and detachment from a substrate.
• CD-Hybridoma – a chemically defined (CD) formula for the growth of hybridoma cells in suspension, which was further modified according to amino acid utilization over time to produce CD-CHO.
• Both CD-Hybridoma and CD-CHO have been major players in the area of recombinant protein production.

He is continuing to develop improved media for application in translating stem cell technologies to the clinic. Several formulations are in the pipeline for ES and iPS cells, neuronal cells, neural progenitor cells, hematopoietic stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells and specialty cryoprotective media.

Paul continues to provide expertise to many companies that currently lead the field in stem cell biology. His innovative scientific efforts and expertise, which he readily shares, have contributed greatly to the overall field of in vitro biology.

His improvements in culture media have resulted in improved cell growth, increased bio-production and improved chances of success in using stem cell and stem cell derived cultures in the regulatory area. Ensuring success in translation to the clinic is critical for the practical application of stem cell biology for treating various genetic and other diseases. Paul’s contributions in all areas of media development will have long term benefits to society.

Paul exemplifies the scientists that the SIVB holds in highest regard and is truly deserving of the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Submitted by Eugene Elmore, PhD
SIVB President Elect