Florence B. Seibert American biochemist Date of Birth: 06.10.1897 Country: USA

1. American Biochemist Florence Seibert
2. Education and Early Career
3. Development of Tuberculosis Test
4. Later Career and Achievements

American Biochemist Florence Seibert

Florence Seibert, an American biochemist, is primarily known for being the first person to isolate the pure form of the tuberculosis bacterium, which is still used in the standard tuberculosis test today. She was born in Easton, Pennsylvania. As a teenager, she was fascinated by reading biographies of great scientists, which inspired her to pursue a career in science. Despite contracting polio in her childhood, which left her disabled, it did not significantly impact her career.

Education and Early Career

Seibert attended Goucher College and later obtained a Ph.D. in biochemistry from Yale University. During her time at Yale, she studied the intravenous introduction of milk proteins and developed a method to preserve these proteins from bacterial contamination. In 1923, Seibert worked at the University of Chicago, sponsored by the Porter Fellowship of the American Philosophical Society. From 1924 to 1928, she taught pathological anatomy at the University of Chicago and later became an assistant professor of biochemistry.

Development of Tuberculosis Test

It was at the University of Chicago where Seibert, under the guidance of Esmond Long, developed an improved skin test for tuberculosis. The practical application of this method resulted in the purified derivative protein, which is used in standard tuberculosis tests today. The previous test protein, isolated by Robert Koch, was not consistently reliable and occasionally produced false-negative results.

Later Career and Achievements

In 1932, Seibert became an assistant professor of biochemistry at the Henry Phipps Institute at the University of Pennsylvania. She later became a full professor and eventually an honorary professor. Even in retirement, Seibert continued to engage in clinical research, including voluntary research on cancer. She received numerous awards for her scientific contributions, such as the Trudeau Medal from the National Tuberculosis Association and the Francis P. Garvan Medal from the American Chemical Society. In 1990, she was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame. Florence Seibert passed away on August 23, 1991, at the age of 93.