Description
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.
Background
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.