Marie U. Nylen

Marie Ussing Nylen (born 13 Apr 1924) is a Danish-American biologist, dentist, microscopist, and badminton player known for her research on the morphology of tooth enamel and her contributions to refining the electron microscope as an aide in dental research at the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDR). She was the first woman director of the NIDR's Intramural Research Program. Nylen became director of the NIDR extramural research program in 1984. In 1947 and 1953, she won the women's world singles event at the All England Open Badminton Championship.

Education Nylen is from Denmark. She completed a D.D.S. at the Royal Dental College, University of Copenhagen (Danish language reference) in 1947. Nylen first went to the United States from her native Denmark in the summer of 1949 on a two-month visit to a friend in Washington, DC. During her stay she called on one of her former professors from the Royal Dental College of the University of Copenhagen, who at that time was a visiting scientist here in the National Institute of Dental Research (NIDR). He interested her in the possibility of obtaining special training at NIH. As a result, she applied for and received a postdoctoral fellowship in dentistry from NIDR and trained here from 1950 to 1951 in the use of electron microscopy and diffraction in studies of calcified tissues of the mouth. Among her early contributions to this new and unique field of dental research was the perfection of a modified microtome capable of producing high quality ultrathin sections of dental tissues for electron microscope study. Development of this instrument, capable of cutting sections 1/50,000 of a mm. in thickness, permitted the study of hitherto unobserved structures of cells which form enamel and dentin.

Career After her year at NIH, Nylen returned to Copenhagen where she was an assistant professor in oral diagnosis at her alma mater for two years. In 1955, she came back to Bethesda to join the staff of NIDR's laboratory of histology and pathology. In July 1977, she became the first woman director of NIDR intramural research. She succeeded acting director Wallace D. Armstrong.

In 1984, Nylen became associate director of the NIDR extramural program, succeeding John F. Goggins. Abner L. Notkins replaced Nylen as acting intramural director. In her new position, Nylen administered the institute's extramural program. This component consisted of three categorical branches which fund research in periodontal and soft tissue diseases, craniofacial anomalies, pain control and behavior, and caries and restorative materials. By 1960, Nylen was recognized for her the production and maturation of the organic matrices of enamel and dentin. Her work in this field led to the publication of an atlas, reporting one of the first embryological studies of dental tissues made at the electron microscope level. Because of its breadth and systematic approach to an understanding of dental histogenesis, this publication has been well received by teachers both in the U.S. and abroad. Other technical advances associated with Nylen's work have included important techniques for the preparation and imbedding of specimens for electron microscopy and specimen preparation for microradiography. She has also contributed to the scientific literature in related areas, including basic studies of the mechanism of mineralization, using other calcifying systems such as tendon, reconstituted collagen, and calculus.

Achievements International tournaments Women's singles Year Tournament Opponent Score Result 1947 All England Open Kirsten Thorndahl 11–6, 6–11, 12–10 Winner 1952 Denmark Open Aase Schiøtt Jacobsen 8–11, 8–11 Runner-up 1953 All England Open Agnete Friis 11–2, 7–11, 11–2 Winner

Women's doubles Year Tournament Partner Opponent Score Result 1946 Denmark Open Agnete Friis Tonny Ahm Kirsten Thorndahl 10–15, 7–15 Runner-up 1947 Denmark Open Aase Schiøtt Jacobsen Tonny Ahm Kirsten Thorndahl 15–7, 5–15, 15–4 Winner 1947 All England Open Aase Schiøtt Jacobsen Tonny Ahm Kirsten Thorndahl 8–15, 7–15 Runner-up 1953 Denmark Open Aase Schiøtt Jacobsen Iris Cooley June White 16–17, 1–15 Runner-up 1953 All England Open Agnete Friis Iris Cooley June White 15–11, 2–15, 9–15 Runner-up

Mixed doubles Year Tournament Partner Opponent Score Result 1946 Denmark Open Poul Holm Tage Madsen Kirsten Thorndahl 9–15, 7–15 Runner-up

Personal life Marie Ussing was born on 13 April 1924 in Copenhagen, Denmark, the daughter of Henry Ussing (Danish language reference), professor of law, University of Copenhagen and wife Christiane Johanne Ussing (born Nyebølle). When she returned to NIH in 1955 she settled in Washington, DC with her husband Aage Nylén, a former Norwegian citizen. She received an honorary degree of Doctor of Science from Georgetown University. Nylen has served as president for both the American Association for Dental Research and the IADR, in both organizations the first woman to serve as president.