Letter from Joshua Lederberg to Michael Heidelberger

Letter from Joshua Lederberg to Michael Heidelberger

Contributor(s):
Lederberg, Joshua
Heidelberger, Michael
Publication:
Produced: 30 November 1956
Language(s):
English
Format:
Text
Subject(s):
Polysaccharides
Molecular Structure
Genre(s):
Archival Materials
Letters (correspondence)
Abstract:
In this exchange between Heidelberger and the molecular geneticist Joshua Lederberg, the two agree on the need to elucidate in detail the chemical composition and three-dimensional structure of pneumococcal polysaccharides. As a molecular geneticist, Lederberg was interested in the structure of pneumococcal polysaccharides because pneumococcus was the organism in which DNA-mediated transformation--the transfer of genetic information carried by DNA--was first observed by Oswald Avery and colleagues. Lederberg believed that detailed knowledge of the structure of pneumococcal polysaccharides would help in understanding the action of the genes that code for them.. NOTE: Dr. Heidelberger's response is written at the bottom of the letter.
Copyright:
The National Library of Medicine believes this item to be in the public domain. (More information)
Extent:
1 pages
NLM Unique ID:
101584940X194 (See in Profiles in Science)
Profiles in Science ID:
DHBBMN
Permanent Link:
http://resource.nlm.nih.gov/101584940X194
Archival Collection:
The Michael Heidelberger Papers (Profiles in Science)