The basic protein film technique for mounting nucleic acids for electron microscopy has proven to be a general and powerful tool for the working molecular biologist in characterizing different nucleic acids. It i s possible to measure molecular lengths of duplex and single-stranded DNAs and RNAs. In particular, it is thus possible to as certain whether or not the nucleic acids extracted from a particular source are or are not homogeneous in length. The topological properties of the polynucleotide chain (linear or circular, relaxed or supercoiled circles, interlocked circles, etc. ) can also be as certained.
DURING the past decade, the molecular biologist has shown us how mutation in the informational code of the gene is eventually translated into an alteration, either in the primary structure of a protein catalyst or in the rate of synthesis of the catalyst. In either case, the function of the catalyst is impaired and the phenotype of the organism is changed.
Another, albeit less remarkable, advance in knowledge during the past decade both enhances our view of molecular biology and directly benefits the care of our patients. In 1954 two papers appeared in this journal describing a new cause of convulsions in infancy.
From modest beginnings Sydney became an extraordinarily influential and accomplished molecular biologist. His critical knowledge of, and insights into, key scientific problems were legendary. His irrepressible personality, acerbic wit and ebullient talks inspired a generation of young biologists. He made seminal discoveries in how genetic information is used for protein synthesis, and established
Caenorhabditis elegans
as one of the foremost model organisms for the study of development and neural function. He also pioneered techniques for genome analysis and was instrumental in establishing several outstanding centres of biological research around the world.
Clonality testing: teamwork by pathologist and molecular biologist
