1899-1978

Canadian physiologist who worked to find insulin for the control of diabetes. Born in West Pembroke, Maine, he became an assistant to Sir Frederick Banting at the University of Toronto. The two scientists extracted insulin from the pancreas and showed how it was effective in treating diabetic dogs. Success with humans followed. Best did not receive his M.D. until 1925, and for this reason could not share the 1923 Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine with Banting. He succeeded Banting as director of the Banting and Best Department of Medical Research in 1941 and discovered the vitamin choline, the enzyme histamine, and anticoagulants for treatment of blood clots.