Papers of Harvey Itano, American biochemist and pioneer in the study of sickle cell anemia hematology. The collection documents Itano's research on sickle cell anemia disease and his work in the field of molecular medicine focusing on understanding of genetic and molecular basis of blood pathologies and hereditary diseases. The papers contains Itano's research and writings, reprints of his publications in scientific journals, and laboratory notebooks. Of special interest are notebooks documenting his electrophoresis experiments that led to the discovery of difference in electrophoretic mobility between normal and sickle cell hemoglobins and allowed him to explain the cause of the disease on a molecular basis. Also included is his professional correspondence with colleagues in the field of molecular medicine, especially letters from Linus Pauling dating from 1946 to 1986. The papers are arranged in five series: 1) MISCELLANEOUS MATERIALS, 2) CORRESPONDENCE, 3) NOTEBOOKS, 4) WRITINGS BY ITANO, and 5) LINUS PAULING -- MISCELLANEOUS MATERIALS.

Harvey Akio Itano was born on November 3, 1920, in Sacramento, California, the eldest son of Masao and Sumako (Nakahara) Itano. Itano attended University of California, Berkeley, and graduated in 1942 with highest honors in chemistry. Due to President Roosevelt's anti-Japanese campaign following Pearl Harbor, Itano with his family was sent to the desolate Tule Lake camp. While in the camp, Itano kept applying to medical schools throughout the country. With assistance from the National Japanese American Student Relocation Council, Itano was released from the camp to attend St. Louis School of Medicine. In 1945, Itano received his M.D. and continued Ph.D. studies at the California Institute of Technology in biochemistry where he studied and worked with Linus Pauling.

3.80 linear feet (10 archive boxes)

Publication rights are held by the creator of the collection.