Geneticist #5: Gregor Mendel

Gregor Mendel

Born: July 20th, 1822
Died: January 6th, 1884

Around the start of the 20th century, Mendel's work was recognized to be significant to the field of genetics. Hugo de vries needed Mendel's research to understand the results from his own investigations.

Famous Publications:
"Experiments on Plant Hybridization."

Contributions to the world of genetics:
Mendel is called the father of modern genetics due to his discovery of plants passing off their genetic information to their next generation in a specific ratio. Mendel's Law of Inheirtance include The Law of Segregation and The Law of Independent Assortment. These laws helped future biologists to further explore genetics.

Geneticist #4: Arthur Kornberg

Arthur Kornberg

Born: March 3rd, 1918
Died: October 26th, 2007

In 1959, Arthur received the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine. He received this award because he was the first to isolate DNA polymerizing enzyme. Kornberg also won the National Medal of Science in 1979.

Famous Publications:
"For the Love of Enzymes."
"The Golden Helix: Inside Biotech Ventures."

Contributions to the world of genetics:
His isolation of DNA polymerizing enzymes laid stepping stones for genetic engineering. His discovery also led to advancement in medicine for viral infections.

Geneticist #3: Erwin Chargaff

Erwin Chargaff

Born: August 11th 1905
Died: June 20th, 2002

In 1949, Chargaff received the Pasture Medal and in 1974, he received the National Medal of Science. Erwin felt he should have been recognized as much as James Watson, Francis Crick and Maurice Wilkins for his contribution to the structure of DNA. In other words, he felt he should have shared the Nobel Prize with these other men.

Famous Publications:
"Heraclitean Fire: Sketches from a Life Before Nature."
"Serious Questions, An ABC of Sceptical Reflections."

Contributions to the world of genetics:
Chargaff's rules: The rule stating the amount of guanine is equal to the amount of cytosine and the number of adenine is equal to the number of thymine.
The second law states the make up of DNA varies from one species to the next.
He explained his research to Watson and Crick which helped to their discovery of the structure of DNA.

Geneticist #2: James Watson

James Watson

Born: April  6 1928
Current age: 82 years old

In 1962, James Watson recieved a Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine for the discovery of the structure of DNA. He shared this award along with Francis Crick and Maurice Wilkins.

Famous Publications:
"The Double Helix."
 "Molecular Biology of the Cell."

Contributions to the world of genetics:
Discovered that the structure of DNA is in a double helical shape.

Geneticist #1: Barbara McClintock

Barbara McClintock

Born: June 16 1902
Died on: September 2 1992

      In 1983, McClintock was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. She was awarded this prize due to her discovery of genetic transposition. Barbara is the only female to ever receive the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine and not share it.

Famous Publications:
"Chromosome constitution of races of maize."
"Some parallels between gene control systems in maize and in bacteria"

Contributions to the world of genetics: Discovered transposition.