October 14, 1961

fr. Frederick Stone

Diviston of General Medical Sctence
National Institutes of Health
Bethesda 14, Maryland

Dear Fred:

Partly with the Impetus of the work we have undertaken In excblology
with NASA support we have been becoming keenly aware of the unmet
opportunities In medical Instrumentetton, Dr. Eliott Levinthal has bean
working closely with me on our exobiclogy prefect and Is especially competent
and Interested In the development of this area.

We are now facing the need and possibility of some enlargement of our
instrumentation engineering program for axobiclogy. However, | hesliate
to encourage much further expansion of this activity except In the context
of a more generally useful app! tcation to the research problems of the
medical school. Many very specific useful connections have become apparent.
For example, there are some unexpected parallels in the engineering solucion
to the problem of the selective detection of microorganisms seen through a
microscope and the efficient utilization of fiuorescopy with the assistance
of image Intensifler techniques. In both Instances a sophisticated under~
standing of video electronics and information processing is required.
Many other points of common Interest betwean the exoblology program and other
activities in our depertment and elsewhere throeughcut the medical school
are beginning to emerce. “Ye were therefore particularily interested to hear
of the additional support for medical instrumentation that was incorporated
into the recent NIM appropriation. { belfeve that tt would be espectally
appropriate If support for our expanded activities In this field could be
undertaken Jointly by NASA and the NIH. We are far from the stage of explicit
proposals and | gather that no very definite program has yet been formulated
In the NIH to handle these new directions. However, we would greatly apprectate
being well informed as to your program developments.

4 '2nele

Dr. Levinthal will be In Washington In ten days or so and i would regerd
1t ss a very helpful courtesy If he could obtain any additlonel Information
or have some opportunity for the most tentative discussion with an appropriate
member of your staff,

With best regards,
Yours sincerely,

Joshua Lederberg
Professor of Genetics
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