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 |
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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 |
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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. |
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