2014 INDUCTEE Ronald Worton, PhD Leadership in Organizational Development, Cells, Genetics & Genomics

Born:

April 2, 1942

(Winnipeg, Manitoba)

Education:

PhD, University of Toronto (1969)

Awards & Honours:

2012: Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal

2012: Officer of the Order of Canada

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Discovered the gene for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

A trailblazer in genetic research

Described as a “role model of one who has achieved success without either aggression or self-promotion” and “who brings to every interaction kindness, selflessness, consideration and empathy,” Dr. Worton stands out as both a scholar and a gentleman. Through a novel and ground breaking approach at a time when disease-gene discovery was in its infancy, Dr. Worton and his team identified the dystrophin gene which is mutated in boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. This was the first gene to be identified by “positional cloning” without prior knowledge of the altered protein and provided proof-of-principle for the human genome project.

Key Facts

Discovered the cause of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and enabled its definitive diagnosis and prognosis

Led the field in discovering the nature and origin of mutations that cause Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Served as Associate Director of the Canadian Genetic Disease Network, the Head of the Canadian Genome Analysis and Technology Program and as the Founding Director of Canada’s Stem Cell Network

As Geneticist-in-Chief at Sick Kids, his department discovered the genes responsible for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, Cystic Fibrosis, Tay-Sachs Disease, Wilson’s Disease and Fanconi Anemia, more than any other hospital or university department in the world

In Ottawa, created a new research institute at the Ottawa General Hospital, and following a hospital merger became CEO and Scientific Director of the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute and VP Research at the hospital

Served on the board or council of 20 volunteer organizations including the CIHR Interim Governing Council and internationally as Vice President of the Human Genome Organization (HUGO) and President of the American Society of Human Genetics

Professional timeline

Impact on lives today

When Dr. Worton began his research in genetics, little was known about the nature of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Today, thanks to Dr. Worton's leadership and the work of his team, scientists can now identify the gene responsible and have a clear path to potential therapy and prevention. Beyond his basic science research, the legacy of Dr. Worton lays in his building of research programs and networks that facilitate knowledge production and exchange for the benefit of human health.

2026

April 24, 2014
Ronald Worton inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame

Kingston, Ontario
2007
Dr. Worton retired from the Ottawa Hospital and maintained his interest in science through local, provincial and national boards and committees.
Leadership in Organizational Development
He served on the Board of the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame from 2018 to 2024 and continues to support on its Advancement Advisory Committee.
2001
Following merger of four Ottawa hospitals to create The Ottawa Hospital, Dr. Worton became the first CEO and Scientific Director of the new Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, and VP Research of the Ottawa Hospital
Leadership in Organizational Development, Cells, Genetics & Genomics
Under his six years of leadership the new OHRI went on to become one of the top hospital-based institutes in Canada with a staff of 1200 and annual funding of $85 M.
2001
Dr. Worton became the Founding Scientific Director of Canada's Stem Cell Network collaborative venture of more than 65 members dedicated to developing stem cell technology as the basis of the new discipline of Regenerative Medicine.

Dr. Worton led the Network for the first four years, and credits his successor, Dr. Michael Rudnicki for the next 20+ years with $162 M in grant funding, $176 M in partnerships, 7,900 people trained and 280 clinical trials supported.
2000
Ron Worton elected President of the American Society for Human Genetics
Cells, Genetics & Genomics, Leadership in Organizational Development
1996
New Directions
Leadership in Organizational Development
Dr. Worton moved to Ottawa to become the Scientific Director of the new Research Institute at the former Ottawa General Hospital.
1993
Dr. Worton was selected as the UK-Canada Rutherford Lecturer, and served as Visiting Professor at both Oxford and Cambridge Universities.
Health and Medical Education & Training
Over the years Dr. Worton delivered more than 60 university seminars and was invited speaker at more than 70 national and international meetings throughout N. America, Europe and Asia.
1992
Dr. Worton was appointed Director of the Canadian Genome Analysis and Technology Program which was the forerunner of Genome Canada established seven years later
Cells, Genetics & Genomics, Leadership in Organizational Development
1989
Along with Dr. Michael Hayden, Dr. Worton developed the successful proposal to create the Canadian Genetic Diseases Network (a Network of Centres of Excellence) and served as its Associate Director for 12 years.
Cells, Genetics & Genomics, Leadership in Organizational Development
One of Canada’s most successful and longest funded Networks, it played a key role in fostering a culture of cooperation among genetic researchers, linked academic researchers with industrial partners, and resulted in several spin-off companies to commercialize the research.
1989
Dr. Worton joined a small group of geneticists in Montreux to create HUGO, the international Human Genome Organisation.
Leadership in Organizational Development, Cells, Genetics & Genomics
Appointed to its inaugural Governing Council he was later elected VP for the Americas
1988
The Worton / Ray laboratory demonstrated that the Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) gene encodes a structural protein, dystrophin.

Dystrophin is necessary for the maintenance of normal muscle function. They also led the field in delineating the full spectrum of mutations in the gene that cause muscular dystrophy.
1985
Dr. Worton began a ten-year term as Geneticist-in-Chief at the Hospital for Sick Children. That same year he, along with colleague Dr. Peter Ray, identified a portion of the X chromosome containing the gene responsible for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.
Cells, Genetics & Genomics, Leadership in Organizational Development
During this time, his genetics department led the world with the discovery of genes responsible for muscular dystrophy (Worton and Ray), cystic fibrosis (Tsui), Wilson’s disease (Cox), Tay-Sachs disease (Gravel) and Fanconi anemia (Buchwald).
1982
Dr. Worton devised a five year research plan to identify the gene responsible for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy using DNA from Dr. Verellen's patient.
Cells, Genetics & Genomics
He gave up all his previous research to focus on this project.
1978
Dr. Christine Verellen arrived in Dr. Worton's lab and made him aware of a European female with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, who's unique chromosome rearrangement revealed the putative location of the causative gene on the X chromosome.
Cells, Genetics & Genomics
1971
Dr. Worton returned to Canada and joined the Department of Genetics at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in Toronto as Director of the Cytogenetics Laboratory
Cells, Genetics & Genomics, Leadership in Organizational Development
1969
Ron Worton earned a PhD in Medical Biophysics under the supervision of Drs. James Till and Ernest McCulloch, where he demonstrated the unique physical properties of stem cells compared to other progenitor cells of the blood-forming system.

Following the PhD, Dr. Worton moved to Yale for post doctoral studies with Dr. Frank Ruddle, a leader in somatic cell genetics, setting himself up for the new position to follow at Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children.
1965
Before pursing studies in human genetics, Dr. Worton earned his Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in physics from the University of Manitoba