June 20, 1908
(Belmont, Ontario)
May 4, 1995
MD, University of Western Ontario (1933)
MSc, University of Toronto (1938)
1972: Fellow of the Royal Society of London
1968: Officer of the Order of Canada
See All Awards1972: Fellow of the Royal Society of London
1968: Officer of the Order of Canada
1963: Gairdner Award of Merit
1962: Joseph P. Kennedy Foundation International Award
1959: Flavelle Medal, Royal Society of Canada
A builder of the field of human cytogenetics
Sometimes, a big discovery comes from a microscopic level. When Drs. Murray Barr and E.G. Bertram published an article in Nature regarding their findings of a sex chromatin body, they inspired a whole new era in research and diagnosis of genetic disorders. This discovery, later referred to as the Barr body, gave way to the discipline of genetics and established the foundation for human cytogenetics.
Was the first to establish a link between sex chromosome abnormalities and human disease
His textbook, The Human Nervous System, became a worldwide standard for neuroanatomy, and was translated into numerous different languages
Influenced a generation of medical students as a devoted and captivating neuroanatomy professor
Nurtured an interest in the history of medicine and published A Century of Medicine at Western
Awarded seven honorary degrees
Dr. Barr’s investigations into certain chromosome defects led to a greater understanding of many congenital diseases including Down’s, Klinefelter’s and Turner syndromes, significantly improving their diagnosis and treatment. Similarly, Barr’s research in cytogenetics has contributed to our knowledge of chromosomal changes, which can help physicians to diagnosis some types of cancer. Barr also helped to advance the field of genomic research in Canada, which remains a vibrant field of study today. For example, the Institute of Genetics, one of CIHR’s virtual institutes, offers support to a wide range of research on topics including the interaction of genes with physical and social environments.
Murray Barr posthumously inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame
Hull, Québec
Authored by Dr. Murray Barr, the first edition of "The Human Nervous System" was published
Health and Medical Education & TrainingBy 1983, the textbook was already in its 4th edition.
With Dr. K.L. Moore, Dr. Barr developed the buccal smear test, a non-invasive method of gathering human cells from the lining of the mouth for genetic testing
Cells, Genetics & GenomicsIn combination with karyotyping, it allowed scientists to identify individuals with an abnormal number of sex chromosome bodies, furthering diagnosis and treatment of congenital diseases.
Drs. Barr and Bertram made a ground-breaking discovery later referred to as the Barr body
Cells, Genetics & GenomicsThey identified a dense mass of chromatin (material containing the genetic code) present only in female nerve cells.
Soon after the war, Barr returned to Western University
He remained at Western until his retirement in 1977.
Canada went to war, and so did Barr
He served as a distinguished Wing Commander with the Royal Canadian Air Force.
Experiencing the challenges of running of medical practice during the Depression, Barr pursued a master’s degree in science
At the University of Toronto, his research focused on the synaptic end-builds of motor neurons.
Barr graduated from medical school at the University of Western Ontario
He then sought further training with a general internship at Hamot Hospital in Erie, Pennsylvania.
The legacy of the Barr body and his devotion to teaching live on.
