Public Colloquium in Honour of George Hunter
About this Event
George Hunter's granddaughter, Janie Brown, will present a seminar entitled "Lessons from my grandfather, George Hunter, second Chair of the Department of Biochemistry, and the future of end-of-life care."
A series of short talks will highlight the university's current strengths, built on the foundation of biochemistry research that Prof. Hunter started to lay a century ago.
His discoveries include nutritional deficits in the poor, particularly in mothers and children, new ways to source and assay vitamins, the biological functions and reactions of metabolites including glutathione, amino acids and nucleotides and the roles of ions including calcium and magnesium in the body.
Publications by G. Hunter and colleagues:
1. The Estimation of Carnosine in Muscle Extract. 1921, Biochem. J.15, 689
2. The Estimation of Carnosine in Muscle Extract. A Critical Study. 1922, Biochem. J., 16, 640
3. Note on Knoop's Test for Histidine. 1922, Biochem. J., 16,637
4. The Diazo-Reaction, with special reference to Urine in Measles. 1922, Brit. Med. J., 751
5. Observations on the Distribution and Variation of Carnosine in Cat Muscle. 1924, Biochem. J., 18, 408
6. The Diazo Reaction in Urine. 1925, Biochem. J., 19, 25
7. Carnosine of Muscle and Iminazole Excretion in the Urine. 1925, Biochem. J., 19, 34
8. Colour Standards for Use in the Determination of Iminazoles. 1925, Biochem. J., 19, 42
9. Uric acid Determinations in Blood. 1925, J. Biol. Chem., 63, 17
10. The Isolation from Blood of a Hitherto unknown Substance and its Bearing on Present Methods for the Estimation of Uric Acid. 1925, J. Biol. Chem., 65, 623-644
11. Non-Protein Sulfur Compounds of Blood 1. Sympectothion. 1927, J. Biol. Chem. 72, 123-132
12. Non-Protein Sulfur Compounds of Blood 2. Glutathione. 1927, J. Biol. Chem. 72, 133-146
13. Glutathione. A Critical Study. 1927, J. Biol. Chem. 72, 147-166
14. On the Presence of Cystine in Liver. 1927, J. Biol. Chem. 72, 167
15. The Colorimetric Estimation of Cystine and Glutathione. 1927, J. Biol. Chem. 72, 177-183
16. On the Diazo Reaction in Uraemic Serum and in Normal Urine. 1927, Can. Med. Ass. J. 17, 1448
17. A new Test for Ergothioneine upon which is based a Method for its estimation in simple solution and in Blood-Filtrates. 1928, Biochem. J. 22 44
18. A Diazo-Method for detecting Bilirubin in urine. 1930, Can. Med. Ass. J. 23, 823
19. On the determination of Bilirubin by the Diazo-reagents. 1930, Brit. J. Exper. Path. 11, 407.
20. On the two types of Bilirubin Diazo-Reaction in serum, with a hypothesis on the nature of the Bilirubin in the serum from haemolytic Jaundice. 1930, Brit. J. Exper. Path. 11, 415.
21. Colour reactions of Thiolglyoxalines (Thioliminazoles) with sodium Diazobenzene-p-Sulphonate. 1930, J. Chem. Soc. 302, 2343.
22. A diazo metod for detecting bilirubin in urine. Can Med Assoc J 23:823-824
23. The identification of Taurine isolated from Ox adrenal gland. 1935, Can. Chem. Metallurgy, 19, 158
24. A test for Thymine, with observations on the Keto-Enolic type of diazo test. 1936, Biochem. J., 30, 745-749
25. A new cleavage product of Guanine. 1936, Nature, 137, 405
26. On the hydrolysis of Guanine. 1936, Biochem. J., 30, 1183-1188
27. A new Guanine Hydrolytic Product (4-(or 5-) Guanidino glyoxaline) and its Hydrolytic Product (4-(or 5-1 Carbamidoglyoxaline). 1936, Biochem. J., 30, 1189-1201
28. Note on the preparation of Purines and Pyrimidines from Nucleic acid. 1937, Biochem. J. 31,486-487
29. Synthesis of 4(or 5-) Carbamidoglyoxaline. 1937, Biochem. J. 31,488-489
30. The adrenal cortical hormone: A method of assay and of preparation. 1937, Can. Med. Assoc. 1. 37,368
31. On the death of Sir Frederick Banting, April 1941, Can. Med. Assoc.
32. A Dietary survey in Edmonton. 1941, Can. Pub. Health J., 32,259.
33. Aglast water bath. 1941, J. Chem. Educ., 18, 299
34. Refrigerating Condensor: Application in Vacuum Distillation Assembly. 1941.Can. Chem. Process Industries, 25.447
35. On 4-(or 5-) Aminoglyoxaline (Iminazole). 1941, Can. J. of Res., 19, 296-304
36. On a new indigoid formed from the Glyoxaline (Iminazole) Nucleus. 1941, Can. J. Res., 19, 305
37. On the determination of urinary glyoxalines (imanazoles). 1941, Can. J. Res., 19, 310
38. Studies on surface taint butter. 1942, Scientific Agriculture, 22, 347
39. Note on rose hips and evergreens as sources of Vitamin C. 1943, Can. Med. Assoc. J. 48, 30
40. On sources of Vitamin C. 1. Rose Hips. 1943, Can. J. Res. 21, 363
41. On sources of Vitamin C. II. Alberta Native fruits. 1944, Can. J. Res., 22, 33
42. On sources of Vitamin C from native fruit preparation. 1944, J. Can. Dietetic Assoc., 6, 55
43. Bio-assay of Vitamin C in rose hips. 1945, Can. J. Res., 23, 1
44. Approximate nutrient composition of dried rose hips. 1945, Can. J. Res., 23, 5
45. On the specificity of dye titration for ascorbic acid. 1946, Can. J. Res., 24, 37
46. Isolation of ascorbic acid from rose hips. 1946, Can. J. Res, 24, 46
47. The use of rose hip purees in cooking. 1946, J. Can. Dietetic Assoc., 8, 33
48. On staining for Vitamin C in tissues. 1946, Can. J. Res., 24, 182
49. The Assay of new rich natural sources of Ascorbic Acid. 1947, Science, 105, 70
50. Assessment of Hospital diets. 1948, Can. J. Res, 26, 347
51. Assessment of diets: Analysis versus computation from food tables. 1948, Can. J. Res., 26, 367
52. On Ergothioneine: Its preparation from Blood and Ergot. 1949, Can. J. Res. 27, 226-229
53. The determination of Ergothioneine in simple solution and in blood. 1949, Can. J. Res. 27, 230-239
54. Note on the Ergothioneine content of Egot from different host plants. 1949, Can. J. Res.27, 240
55. On Ergothioneine in Blood and Diazo Reacting Substances in Maize. 1951, Biochem. J., 48,265
56. Bromide Determination in Body Fluids. 1953, Biochem. J., 34, 42
57. On the Bromide Test of Permeability of the Barrier between Blood and Cerebrospinal Fluid - An Assessment. 1954, Biochem. J. 56, 588
58. Colorimetric Estimation of Polyvinylpyrrolidone by lodine. 1953, The Lancet, 197
59. The Blood-C.S.F. Barrier to Bromide in Diagnosis of Tuberculous Meningitis. 1954, The Lancet, 700
60. The Micro-determination of Bromide in Presence of Chloride. 1954, The Analyst, 79, 467
61. Estimation of Isonicotinic acid Hydrazide in Blood Serum and Cerebrospinal Fluid. 1955, British Medical J., 585
62. Microdetermination of Bromide in Body Fluids. 1955, Biochem. J., 60, 261
63. The Blood-Cerebrospinal Fluid Barrier in Tuberculous Meningitis and Allied Conditions. 1955, J. Neurol., Neurosurg. & Psychiatry, 18,237
64. Deproteinization of Blood. 1956, Biochem. J., 62, 28
65. Microdetermination of Magnesium in Serum with a New Titration Absorptiometer. 1956, Biochem. J., 62, 29
66. The Intrathecal Tuberculin Reaction in the Rabbit. 1957, Brit. J. Exper. Path. 38, 164
67. A Method for Deproteinization of Blood and Other Body Fluids. 1957, J. Clin. Path. 10, 161
68. The Micro-determination of Magnesium in Presence of Known Amounts of Calcium. 1958, The Analyst, 83,93
68. Calcium and Magnesium Content of Normal Human Blood Serum. 1958, Nature, 182,263
70. Micro-determination of Calcium and Magnesium in Blood Serum and Cerebrospinal Fluid. 1959, The Analyst, 84, 24
71. Micro Method for the Determination of Calcium and Magnesium in General Biological Material. 1960, The Analyst, 85, 12.1
72. Calcium and Magnesium in Human Cerebrospinal Fluid. 1960, Nature, 186, 161
73. Intrathecal Tuberculin in Disseminated Sclerosis: The Immunological Aspects. 1961, J. Neurol. Neurosurg, & Psychiatry, 24, 101
74. The Microdetermination of Calcium by the use of Amberlite IRC-50 Resin and Glyoxal Bis (2-hydroxyanil). 1972, The Analyst, 97, 233-237
Publications about G. Hunter:
75. L. Freeman, Dr. Hunter's Dismissal, Calgary Herald, 8 July 1949
76. Wrong Lecture, TIME, 8 July 1949
77. Academic Freedom Again, Saturday Night,19 July 1949: l, 5
78. L. Freeman. Dr. Hunter's Dismissal, The Canadian Forum, 29 Oct. 1949: 147, 150-l.
79. M. Horn. Academic Freedom and the Dismissal of George Hunter,1989, Dal. Rev. 69, 3: 415
80. M. Horn. Unionization and the canadian university: Historical and personal observations, 1994, Symposium, 25, 39–48
81. M. Horn. Academic Freedom: A History, 1999, University of Toronto Press
82. M. Horn. Tenure and the Canadian Professoriate, 1999, J. Can. Stud. 34, 3
83. M. Horn. Canadian Universities, Academic Freedom, Labour, and the Left. 2000, Labour/Le Travailleur, 46, 439–468
84. N Madsen, The Greek Tragedy of George Hunter. Spectrum, Ed. V Paetkau and Neil Madsen pp32-51
85. H. Letts. Profiles and Perspectives from Alberta’s Medical History –Early History of Pathology/Laboratory Medicine at the UofA, 2010
86. M. Horn. Tenure and academic freedom in Canada, 2015, Ethics Sci. Environ. Polit. 15:23-37
87. S. Carter. Professor George Hunter’s Dismissal From the University of Alberta, 1949: A Farewell Lecture on Peace Meant Farewell to His Job, 2022, Canadian Historical Association. 16
88. C.J. Thompson & S. Carter. Where Home Once Was: One Hundred and Eleven Years of Ring House 2 at the University of Alberta. 2025, Manitoba Historical Society, 17
Agenda
🕑: 09:00 AM - 09:05 AM
Colloquium Opening by Bill Flanagan, President, University of Alberta
🕑: 09:05 AM - 09:10 AM
Introduction by Brenda Hemmelgarn, College Dean, ViceProvost, CoHS; Dean, FoMD
🕑: 09:10 AM - 09:40 AM
Janie Brown, Executive Director and co-Founder, Callanish Society
Info: Janie will speak on “Lessons from my grandfather, George Hunter, second Chair of the Department of Biochemistry, and the future of end-of-life care”
🕑: 09:40 AM - 10:00 AM
Sarah Carter, Professor, Faculty of Arts - History, Classics, & Religion Dept
Info: Sarah's research encompasses the story of George Hunter, and boils down our complex history and mythologies into tangible truths about what it means to be Canadian. Her awards include a 2020 Killam Prize in the Humanities and Canadian Historical Association’s Clio Prizes. She was elected to the Division of the Academy of Arts and Humanities of the Royal Society of Canada.
🕑: 10:00 AM - 10:20 AM
Frank Wuest, Professor and Chair, Department of Oncology
Info: Frank's research interests are embedded in the field of translational cancer research, with a focus on imaging biomarkers. His specific aim is to design and apply innovative radiopharmaceuticals to optimize cancer diagnosis and treatment.
🕑: 10:20 AM - 10:40 AM
Sandra Davidge, Director, Women & Children's Health Research Institute
Info: Sandra studies cardiovascular physiology with a focus on how the cardiovascular system adapts to pregnancy under normal circumstances, and how these normal actions are impaired in pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia.
🕑: 10:40 AM - 10:45 AM
Anna Gibson Hollow, University Archivist, University of Alberta Archive
Info: Anna will receive part of George Hunter's estate, which is being offered to the University of Alberta by Janie Brown on behalf of George's family. Anna has worked in the field of information management in both private and public sector organisations. and in addition to her role as University Archivist , she is also President of the Association of Canadian Archivists.
🕑: 10:45 AM - 11:45 AM
Reception
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
CAD 0.00
