Charles Herbert Best was a Canadian physiologist who was born on February 27, 1899, and died on March 31, 1978. He is mostly recognized for his groundbreaking work in the discovery and development of insulin alongside Frederick Banting. Best played an instrumental role in the first successful treatment of diabetes using insulin.
Best's contributions to medical science began in the early 1920s when he worked as a research assistant to Banting at the University of Toronto. Together, they embarked on a series of experiments that ultimately led to the extraction and purification of insulin from canine pancreas. Their discovery revolutionized the treatment of diabetes, saving countless lives and earning them the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1923.
Throughout his career, Best made significant contributions to the understanding and study of diabetes, endocrinology, and metabolism. He advanced the science of hormone research and also conducted extensive studies on diabetes-related complications. Furthermore, Best collaborated with other prominent scientists, including John James Rickard Macleod, in furthering the development of insulin therapy.
Charles Herbert Best's accomplishments extend beyond his work on insulin. He served as a professor of physiology at the University of Toronto and contributed to the establishment of the Banting and Best Department of Medical Research. Best's passion for medical research and his unwavering dedication continue to inspire young scientists around the world.
Overall, Charles Herbert Best is renowned as a pioneering physiologist whose collaboration with Frederick Banting led to the lifesaving discovery of insulin, revolutionizing the treatment of diabetes and earning him a lasting place in medical history.
