Dr. Cecil Yip was a pioneer whose seminal discoveries helped us understand the molecular structure of insulin and the molecules that it binds to, also known as insulin receptors. In addition to his trailblazing work, he built a foundation for excellence in cellular and biomolecular research in Canada.

Upon completion of his BA from McMaster University in 1959 and PhD from Rockefeller University in New York in 1963, Dr. Yip was hired as an Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto’s Banting and Best Department of Medical Research. Making great strides in insulin research, he became full Professor of Medical Research in 1987 and Vice-Dean of Research in the Faculty of Medicine in 1993. In 2002, he was named a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada for his major contribution to diabetes research.

Climbing the ranks at the University of Toronto, he spearheaded major research projects and discoveries in diabetes. He was the first to unravel the biology of how insulin acts on cells in the body using cutting edge techniques. He modified the insulin hormone to assess how it interacted with its receptor and discovered a specific region of the insulin receptor that is important for relaying signals into the cell in response to insulin. In addition, he discovered the different parts of the insulin receptor gene that are responsible for binding to insulin. He also identified proinsulin - the unprocessed version of insulin.

Most importantly, Dr. Yip used a technique called photoaffinity to create a three-dimensional model of the insulin receptor bound to insulin, which had never been done before. His major discovery led to the creation and testing of different designer molecules. These designer molecules can look and act similarly to insulin and attach to the insulin receptor. Since there is a lack of insulin in type I diabetes, these designer molecules can act as a substitute to help with glucose metabolism. This new pathway in diabetes research provided potential avenues of diabetes treatment in a pill form, which could be a safe alternative to daily injections.

Dr. Yip was an avid scientist, producing over 119 research publications on the structure of insulin and the insulin receptor and utilizing techniques to create 3D pictures of the two. He also contributed to the Medical Review Committee of the Gairdner Foundation, served as Co-Chair of the United Way and participated on numerous other committees. He made his mark as a founding co-Director of the Donnelly Centre of Cellular and Biomolecular Research at the University of Toronto.

His vision for the Donnelly Centre was to break down silos and have researchers from different disciplines and backgrounds (such as medicine, pharmacy, science and engineering) collaborate and co-create new avenues of research all under one roof. His perseverance and dedication to grow the centre attracted over $55 million in government funding. In honour of his leadership and contribution to insulin research, the Cecil Yip Award was created and has supported graduate students at the University of Toronto in their pursuit of cutting-edge research in cellular and biomolecular research. His legacy as an exceptional scientist, educator, leader and mentor is embodied by the Donnelly Centre and its efforts to support current and future innovation in insulin research.

— Written by Eliza Ali