Bertha Isabelle Barker

Bertha Isabelle Barker (January 6, 1868; November 15, 1963) was a resident fellow and scholar in bacteriology at the Rockefeller Institute for medical research under Eugene L. Opie. Barker contributed to numerous papers on the study of enzymes in blood cells. Barker and Opie demonstrated for the first time the presence of a protein digesting enzyme in the epithelioid cells which formed in tuberculous tissue.

Life Bertha Isabelle Barker was in born in Watertown, Massachusetts in 1876 to Alexander Augustus Barker and Lydia Jane Hutchins, who moved from Maine. She had an older sister named Cora Barker.

Barker enrolled in Wellesley College in 1887. Her address was 30 Lexington Avenue in Cambridge. She was a member of the glee club. She was a soprano. In 1891, Barker graduated with a bachelor of science. thumb Wellesley College Glee Club (1891)Subsequently, Barker worked as a high school teacher for about a decade. She began her studies at Massachusetts Institute of Technology in bacteriology. Barker was one of the first women to study at the university. Rockefeller Institute of Medical Research Lab Staff (Barker dressed in white).During the founding of Rockefeller Institute, Barker was hired as a resident fellow and scholar on scholarship under Eugene L. Opie in 1906. She worked in this position until 1910.

Barker and Opie had been studying enzymes in blood cells which demonstrated the presence of protein digesting enzyme in the epithelioid cells that form tuberculous tissue. During her research, the enzyme exhibited significant activity when caseation of the tubercle begins and disappeared when caseation is completed. She lived with her sister Cora. Eventually, Barker died November 15th, 1963 and a service was held on November 17. Barker was buried in Mount Auburn cemetery.

Published works

March 14, 1907 Leucoprotease And Anti-Leucoprotease Of Mammals And Of Birds Journal of Experimental Medicine; Eugene L. Opie, Bertha I. Barker Sept 5, 1908: The Enzymes Of Fibrinous Exudates—The Effect Of One Enzyme Upon Another Journal of Experimental Medicine; Bertha I. Barker Sept 5, 1908: Enzymes of Tuberculosis Tissue Journal of Experimental Medicine; Eugene L. Opie, Bertha I. Barker May 1, 1908. The Enzymes Of Fibrin Journal of Experimental Medicine; Bertha I. Barker Sept 2, 1909. Enzymes Of Tuberculous Exudates Journal of Experimental Medicine; Eugene L. Opie, Bertha I. Barker April 1, 1910. Enzymes And Antienzymes Of The Blood Serum With Certain Degenerative Changes In The Liver Journal of Experimental Medicine; Eugene L. Opie, Bertha I. Barker Jan 5, 1911: Changes In The Proteolytic Enzymes And Anti-Enzymes Of The Blood Serum Produced By Substances (Chloroform And Phosphorus) Which Cause Degenerative Changes In The Liver Journal of Experimental Medicine; Eugene L. Opie, Bertha I. Barker, A. R. Dochez Sept 1, 1917. Clinical Studies On The Respiration: V. The Basal Metabolism And The Minute-Volume Of The Respiration Of Patients With Cardiac Disease JAMA Internal Medicine; F. Peabody, J. A. Wentworth, Bertha I. Barker