Norton Zinder
Encyclopedia
Norton Zinder is an American biologist famous for his discovery of genetic transduction
. Zinder was born in New York City
, received his Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin–Madison
, and became a member of the National Academy of Sciences
in 1969. He currently heads a laboratory at Rockefeller University
.
In 1966 he was awarded the NAS Award in Molecular Biology
from the National Academy of Sciences.
, Zinder discovered that bacteriophage
can carry genes from one bacterium to another. Initial experiments were carried out using Salmonella
. Zinder and Lederberg named this process of genetic exchange transduction
.
Later, Zinder discovered the first bacteriophage
that contained RNA
as its genetic material. At that time, Harvey Lodish
of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
worked in his lab.
Transduction (genetics)
Transduction is the process by which DNA is transferred from one bacterium to another by a virus. It also refers to the process whereby foreign DNA is introduced into another cell via a viral vector. Transduction does not require cell-to-cell contact , and it is DNAase resistant...
. Zinder was born in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, received his Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin–Madison
University of Wisconsin–Madison
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1848, UW–Madison is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. It became a land-grant institution in 1866...
, and became a member of the National Academy of Sciences
United States National Academy of Sciences
The National Academy of Sciences is a corporation in the United States whose members serve pro bono as "advisers to the nation on science, engineering, and medicine." As a national academy, new members of the organization are elected annually by current members, based on their distinguished and...
in 1969. He currently heads a laboratory at Rockefeller University
Rockefeller University
The Rockefeller University is a private university offering postgraduate and postdoctoral education. It has a strong concentration in the biological sciences. It is also known for producing numerous Nobel laureates...
.
In 1966 he was awarded the NAS Award in Molecular Biology
NAS Award in Molecular Biology
The NAS Award in Molecular Biology is awarded by the U.S. National Academy of Sciences "for recent notable discovery in molecular biology by a young scientist who is a citizen of the United States." It has been awarded annually since its inception in 1962....
from the National Academy of Sciences.
Genetic transduction and RNA bacteriophage
Working as a graduate student with Joshua LederbergJoshua Lederberg
Joshua Lederberg ForMemRS was an American molecular biologist known for his work in microbial genetics, artificial intelligence, and the United States space program. He was just 33 years old when he won the 1958 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for discovering that bacteria can mate and...
, Zinder discovered that bacteriophage
Bacteriophage
A bacteriophage is any one of a number of viruses that infect bacteria. They do this by injecting genetic material, which they carry enclosed in an outer protein capsid...
can carry genes from one bacterium to another. Initial experiments were carried out using Salmonella
Salmonella
Salmonella is a genus of rod-shaped, Gram-negative, non-spore-forming, predominantly motile enterobacteria with diameters around 0.7 to 1.5 µm, lengths from 2 to 5 µm, and flagella which grade in all directions . They are chemoorganotrophs, obtaining their energy from oxidation and reduction...
. Zinder and Lederberg named this process of genetic exchange transduction
Transduction (genetics)
Transduction is the process by which DNA is transferred from one bacterium to another by a virus. It also refers to the process whereby foreign DNA is introduced into another cell via a viral vector. Transduction does not require cell-to-cell contact , and it is DNAase resistant...
.
Later, Zinder discovered the first bacteriophage
Bacteriophage
A bacteriophage is any one of a number of viruses that infect bacteria. They do this by injecting genetic material, which they carry enclosed in an outer protein capsid...
that contained RNA
RNA
Ribonucleic acid , or RNA, is one of the three major macromolecules that are essential for all known forms of life....
as its genetic material. At that time, Harvey Lodish
Harvey Lodish
Harvey F. Lodish is a molecular and cell biologist, professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, and textbook author...
of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. MIT has five schools and one college, containing a total of 32 academic departments, with a strong emphasis on scientific and technological education and research.Founded in 1861 in...
worked in his lab.