The Leaders of Science -- The Readers of The Scientist

IDA S. OWENS, Chief, section on genetic disorders of drug metabolism, human genetics branch, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health

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At the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Ida S. Owens researches the drug-metabolizing enzymes in the human body. In 1989, her team characterized and cloned the most important of these enzymes, which is essential for the elimination of bilirubin.

This breakthrough may lead to gene therapy for children suffering from Crigler-Najjar Type 1, a genetic-based disorder of this enzyme that causes bilirubin buildup in the blood, often resulting in neurotoxic seizures. Until now, liver transplant surgery...