Anne A. Hurley
- Please tell us about a significant event or moment in Cytometry that you experienced, in a lab, at a conference, or at an informal gathering.
- There are a number of so many events that really stand out in my mind. Some were wonderful, some a little professionally “scary,” some funny, some demonstrated the absolute passion of our members, and some poignantly beautiful. All are unforgettable. I would like to list a few. (In chronological order, if I am able to remember that well!)
- The first (and every time) I heard Howard Shapiro sing at a plenary session.
- When developing the Spectrum III with Bob Hoffman and team at Ortho Diagnostics, we were trying to figure out standardization of the instrument AND the patient samples. That led to my traveling to meet Dr. Vindelov and his special trout from which he collected RBCs. Only later did I realize very few trout species had 4N RBCs – and we could not buy those in the US. After working on chicken RBCs, and calf thymocyte nuclei as standards and/or controls for flow cytometry, I came to #3…
- I presented my “scary” paper (Factors Affecting the Interpretation of DNA Histograms) at the ISAC Congress in Cambridge, England. I was in the pit at historic Maxwell’s Hall in Cambridge; I was going against all of my esteemed colleagues’ previous work by saying we needed to use a patient’s own normal cells as a control; I thought I would get nailed to the wall; I was scared to death; I named my son Maxwell.
- The first night in Breckinridge, CO, ISAC Congress XII, 1988 where we had an open discussion regarding DNA preparation methods for flow cytometry. The meeting was totally packed and none of us had acclimated to the high altitude yet. We could not speak without gasping, we had bloody noses, but we argued and discussed the topic for hours as only ISAC passion and conviction dictated!
- Having an incredibly lively discussion at a workshop at the same meeting with Professors Cornelisse and Ploem regarding DNA standards and methods – wonderful!
- Teaching Standards, Controls and Quantitation for Clinical Research for Flow Cytometry at the Australasian Flow Cytometry Group Methods Course in 1998.
- Watching my Scandinavian colleagues (and others) actually jump from the steaming hot tubs into the snow during off time at the Bergen, Norway Congress!
- Touring magical Antwerp at Christmas time courtesy of Dirk Van Bockstaele – to this day I am not sure the experience was real!
- Receiving the ISAC Membership Award for my work in Standards and Quality Control for Flow Cytometry at the Montpellier, France Congress in 2004. At times I thought no one was listening. Thank you for recognizing the dedication, hard work, and real science involved.
- What do you feel was your major contribution to the field of Cytometry?
- My work in standardization and quality control for cytometry. Whether our work in cytometry was solely for research or being used for clinical/research, the results had to be reproducible, the methodology standardized, and the interpretation consistent. To that end, my Quality Control Kit for DNA was a factor, as well as my thesis/book: Quality Control Considerations for Research and Clinical Laboratories: Flow Cytometry – A Case Study, and my 3 patents: Cell Preservation Solution; Method and Apparatus for Preparing Cells for Examination; and Apparatus for Preparing Cells for Examination.
- What drove you to this achievement?
- Frustration. I was straddling the Clinical and R&D arenas in my work. Once I became the Applications Manager for Cytometry, I saw research data being used in patient results. With my background in Clinical Pathology, and my doctorate in Analytical Cytology, I became concerned about our lack of controls and standards, as they would apply to the patient. Being the “hybrid” as I was, my thoughts always went to how our data would be used, and what governing agencies (outside ourselves) might intervene. I wanted us to set our own standards and be confident in our data interpretations.
- Why was it that your team was able to do it?
- I believe all science is based on the work of other science and scientists in some way. My “sudden insight” on whole cell preservation was definitely the combination of many scientists’ work and contributions. Sometimes ideas just come out in a different format based on a new challenge. I was very fortunate to have the very best team at Ortho and mentor, Bob Hoffman. We had a wonderful DNA Clinical Trials Group at BDIS, and my development group at Cytyc was the best.
- Was someone else’s work or influence fundamental in driving your work?
- Absolutely, other scientists have directly affected my work, many in more than one area. This list would be, and is indeed very, very long. (In no particular order, and not restricted to only these scientists): Jennings, Levy and their chemistry fellows were very influential in basic quality control theory, and, more recently, Schwartz. Krishan, Vindelov, Headly, Oud and others in cell preservation. Vooijs, Rabinovitch, Braylan, La Via, Borowitz, M. Hutchinson and others in pathology. Robinson, Shapiro, Hoffman, Cram, Darzynkiewicz, Crissman, Wheeless and others on the cytometry side. Giorgi, Gill, Nicholson, Rothe, Stelzer, Stewart, Valet, Watson, Orfao, and others in clinical/research. So many have driven me on and given me the background or the impetus to continue the work.
- How do you think your work impacted the field of Cytometry?
- I think we are all aware of the need to have the correct standards and controls in flow and image cytometry. Perhaps also, not let others govern us when it comes to this area. Now that the clinical aspect of Cytometry has spun off on its own – it appears this work is actually done! After two 4 year terms as Councilor, and chair of many regulatory committees within ISAC, I believe I have made my point!
- Anne A. Hurley, Ph.D., CCRA
- Comprehensive Cytometric Consulting
- Owner and Director
- 7 Gardner Way
- Hanover, MA 02339