Noveaber 30, 1949.
SPACE REQUIREMENTS FOR RESEARCH AND TEACHING IN MICROBIAL GENETICS

The University of Wisconsin has established an excellently
equipped laboratory for research in the genetics of alcroorganiens.
However, present operations are limited primarily by space restric-
tions which preclude optimum effielency in the carrying out of
current research programs, as well as the estsblishment of adequate
teaching and vertice programs for the University.

The most urgent need is for an enclosed rooa, ca. 150 aq. ft., in
which to house special apparatus. At present, such instruments ae the
Warburg respirometers, analytical balance, spectrophotometer, ultra~
violet laap, and vacuum-pump sterile filtration and lyophilization
assemblies, are Seattered around the laboratory, wherein they occupy
a disproportionate amount of potential working space, owing to the
necessdty of protecting them from breakigg froa heavy traffic. When the
instruments are not in immediate use, part of the room would be used
for preparative work not requiring special service facilities— tubing
of medium, plugging, clerical work. Such space would release more
than its equivalent in the laboratory, and help to relieve the congestion
engendered by four essentially full-tine research persoanel, large
scale production of bacteriological media, and a heavy load of dieh-
washing which must be carefully handled because of the nutritional
aspects of the research work, all of which aust be carried out in the
laboratory room.

A second requirement, of long-term but urgent iaportance, is for
additional working space such as aight be gotten in Room 200 with a
minimum of remodelling if it could be released. The provision of an
apparatus room, mentioned above, would leave enough space so that the
current research program would be carried out under mrely soderately
congested conditions. However, the provision of desk space, with gas
service, for 6 - 10 atudents, would have the following application:

1. It would make 1t possible to offer practical laboratory work
in microbial genetics. There is a growing demand for technical
training in this direction, as testified to by the popularity of
the sumer "Phage Course" at Cold Spring Harbor, L.I., and the
projected establishment of a bacterial genetics techniques course
this summer at the California Institute of Technology. Students
at the University of Wisconsin should have a comparable opportu-—

_ nbty for advanced laboratory trainihg in this field, which is
becoming of great applied iaportance to industry, as well as a
well-established academic research area.

2. It would sake possible short~term collaborative projects with
other departments. Studentsa and staff in such departaents as
Ag. Bacteriology, Biochenaflatry, and Plant Pathology have expressed
their interest both in learning certain techniques, or in carrying out
certain aspects of their research in the Microbdal Genetics Laboratory,
but we have been severaly limited by the lack of suitable space. A few
such arrangements have been made, but they are prohibitively disruptive

to our regular program.

3. A number of requests have been received from scholars now at
other institutions to visit for periods of one to three weeks for the
purpose of familiarization at first hand with techniques and principles
of bacterial genetic research. With one very brief exception, it has not
been possible to honor such requests, in my opinion an unfortunate excsp-
tion to Wisconsin's position as a preeminent center for the diffusion
of scientific knowledgs. — .

4. It would also, of course, augment our capacity for research in
microbial genetics, but this objective is regarded as secondary to the

foregoing.
Respectfully submitted,

Joshua Lederberg
Agsistant Professor of Genetics