DOCSLIB.ORG

History of the Northeast Branch (PDF)

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
History of the Northeast Branch (PDF) INTRODUCTION AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This historical review of microbiology in the Northeast Branch has been compiled in honor of the ASM Centennial and is dedicated to all microbiologists in the Branch committed to the microbiological sciences. In it you will find a reprinting of the Volume I (up to 1970) and updates and additions in the Volume II (up to 1999). The names of some departments at colleges and universities have changed from Microbiology to Biology, Molecular Biology, Molecular Genetics or any combination thereof. Regardless of the department title, microbiological sciences help us to better understand ourselves and our world and the study of the microbial community can lead us to beneficial applications for the environment, the industry, and for the health and well-being of all. Biotechnology companies are producing new and improved healthcare products and pharmaceutical companies are acquiring are making arrangements with biotechnology firms to facilitate the development of new medicines. Hospitals have merged to become healthcare systems and some hospital laboratories are performing of providing more and more molecular diagnostic tests. It has been a tough time in healthcare with the merges and managed care organizations, but a very exciting time in microbiology. One needs only to read the newspaper and the reports in ASM News to see the announcement of the defenses and of new applications. This past century began with the excitement around a new human tissue culture technique used to isolate the polio virus which opened the way for the isolation of many other viruses in a very short time. As we leave this half century and this millennium, we are excited about the diverse role of microorganisms in molecular biology and genetics and in the development of new technologies. Microorganisms are an essential an integral part of our lives and as Dr. Stuart Levy said in the Centennial Issue of ASM News, “We must learn to coexist, and ways to better our lifestyle. Rather than try to destroy them, we should aim to control and direct them to our benefit”. I am indebted to Paulette Howarth, Faith and Joseph Tracy, and Jennifer Thomas by the manuscript preparation, to Jeff Karr, ASM Archivist, for his efforts in researching essential material, and to all the contributors without whom there would be no historical review. It is good news to note that three of the previous contributors were able to contribute again to the 1999 volume; Harold Amos, Anne Coghlan, and Ruth Kundsin. The extent of the historical view was limited only by time. The contributors and I regret any omissions. Emy Thomas NEB-ASM Archives October, 1999 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS - Emy Thomas TABLE OF CONTENTS Page VOLUME ONE (1970 History) Reprinted - Catharine Atwood, Archivist 6 Introduction, Catharine Atwood, Archivist 7 Committee and Contributors 8 Origin of the Society of the American Bacteriologists 9 The Boston Bacteriological Club 9 The Leo F. Rettger Society, Connecticut Valley Branch 11 Formation of the Northeast Branch of the Society of the American Bacteriologists 11 The Development of Early Bacteriology in Boston 11 City of Boston Health Department 13 State Laboratory Institute, MDPH, 1952-1970 - Geoffrey Edsall 15 Rhode Island Department of Health - Malcolm Hinchliffe 16 Connecticut State Department of Health Laboratory Division - E. W. Hibbard 17 Bacteriology and Infectious Diseases at Boston City Hospital - E. Kass, M. Finland 18 Children’s Hospital - J. Enders, G. Foley 20 New England Deaconess - David Skinner 21 Massachusetts General Hospital - Lawrence Kunz 22 The New Medical Frontier – Mycoplasma - Ruth Kundsin 23 Beth Israel Hospital - Lippman Geronimus 25 New England Medical Center Hospitals - Charles Bump 25 Harvard Medical School - Harold Amos 26 Harvard Medical School: Early Use of Tuberculin - M. Olmsted, B. Davis 27 Boston University School of Medicine - Mathew Derow 29 Tufts Medical School 30 Harvard School of Public Health 31 A Century of Life Sciences at MIT - Irwin Sizer 32 Bacteriology at MIT - Salvador Luria 34 Boston University 35 Simmons College - Anne Coghlan 35 Emmanuel College - Sr. Frances Donovan 35 Wellesley College - Delaphine Wyckoff 36 University of New Hampshire - L. W. Slanetz 36 University of Rhode Island - Phillip Carpenter 37 Brown University 38 U.S. Army Natick Laboratories - Hillel Levinson 38 Independent Research-Based Services in the Science 39 2 VOLUME TWO (1971-1999) – Emy Thomas, Archivist 41 Universities/Colleges Brown University - Judith Heelan 42 Essex Agricultural & Technical Institute - Gregory Reppucci 42 Harvard Medical School - Harold Amos 43 Mass College of Pharmacy - James Barbato 44 Massachusetts Institute of Technology - Arnold Demain 44 Northeastern University - Fred Rosenberg 45 Norwich University – Edward Carney 46 Rhode Island Programs, URI - Jaclynne Laxon 46 Salem State College - Susan Case 47 Simmons College - Anne Coghlan 47 Suffolk University - Henry Mulcahy 48 Tufts University Medical School - David Snydman 48 University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth - Dorothy Read 50 University of New Hampshire -Thomas Pistole 51 Wellesley College - Mary Mennes Allen 53 Hospitals Boston City Hospital - Alfred DeMaria 53 Brigham & Women’s Hospital - Thomas O’Brien 55 Channing Laboratory - Andrew Onderdonk 55 Lahey Clinic Foundation - Harriette Nadler 56 Massachusetts General Hospital - Kathryn Ruoff 57 Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island - Judith Heelan 58 MetroWest Medical Center - Emy Thomas 59 New England Deaconess Hospital - Paola DiGirolami 60 New England Medical Center - David Snydman 61 St. Margaret’s Hospital - Gail Thomas 63 Veterans Affairs Medical Center - William Thiemke 63 Public Health Departments Connecticut -Sanders Hawkins 64 Massachusetts -Irene George 65 Vermont - Burton Wilcke 75 Other Associates of Cape Cod, Inc. - Paul Ketchum 76 Biotechnology in Boston - Gary duMoulin 78 Cubist Pharmaceuticals - Grace Thorne 79 Microbiology Research Associates, Inc. - James Barbato 79 Morton International - Carol Mahoney 80 Mycobacteria History - Kurt Stottmeier 80 Mycobacteria, Waterborne - Gary duMoulin et al 82 Mycoplasma History - Ruth Kundsin 83 Profile of a Virus Hunter - Emy Thomas 84 Recollection of a Media Company - James Koczat 87 U.S. Army Lab, Natick Soldier Center – Florence Feeherry, Neil McCormick 88 3 Organizations NACMID - Mary Keville. Linda Ferraresso 89 NESIM – Woody Moy, Joe Mello 91 ASM Officers, Chairpersons, and Honorary Members, NEB-ASM 92 ASM Awards, NEB-ASM 93 ASM Foundation Lecturers, NEB-ASM 95 NEB Awards 101 NEB Honorary Members 101 ASM Awards - Demain, Allen, Hulme NEB Awards - Kunz, Bodman, Carney, McCormick, George, Johns, Thomas In Memoriam - Hanff, Kelner, Campbell, Marston, Seymour, Davis Honorary Members - Madoff, others NEB Memorium 104 NEB-Officers, 1949 – Present 106 NEB Programs & Activities, 1991 – 1999 109 NEB Membership List, 1999 116 4 Microbiology in the Northeast Branch American Society for Microbiology A Historical Review Volume I 1889 - 1970 In Celebration of the ASM Centennial October, 1999 5 The History of Microbiology in the Northeast Branch of The American Society for Microbiologists "Before him, Egyptian darkness with his advent a light that brightens more and more as the years give us ever fuller knowledge." William Osier 1899 -1970 th 70 Annual ASM Meeting Boston, Massachusetts • April 26 - May 1, 1970 6 The Archives Committee on the North-East Branch, American Society for Microbiologists herewith presents its historical review of the early bacteriology of this area as it developed into the expanse of today's microbiology. This brochure can but give a glimpse of the basic structure of the New England founding workers which has become a truly distinguished building of knowledge. It is hoped that readers will enjoy the orientation. Boston's history runs time wise almost simultaneously with Baltimore on the east coast, each locale possessing dedicated workers whose names are synonymous with successive increments of knowledge, gained by the knack of Serendipity. Shared experiences instigated further discoveries in the early laboratories, continuing so to date. It is with real appreciation that we acknowledge the courtesy and generosity of the Lederle Laboratories, Clinical Laboratory Aids Department, in the sponsorship of this brochure for the 70th Annual Meeting in Boston, Massachusetts. Catharine Atwood Chairman, Archives Committee 7 The History of Microbiology in the North-East Branch of The American Society for Microbiologists 70th Annual Meeting Boston, Massachusetts April 26 - May 1, 1970 COMMITTEE AND CONTRIBUTORS TO THE HISTORY OF MICROBIOLOGY IN THE NORTH-EAST BRANCH, A.S.M. Cecil G. Dunn*, Coordinator Massachusetts Institute of Technology Harold Amos Harvard Medical School Charles M. Bump New England Medical Center Hospitals Philip L. Carpenter University of Rhode Island Anne E. Coghlan Simmons College Joan B. Daniels* Massachusetts State Laboratory Institute Bernard D. Davis Harvard Medical School Matthew A. Derow* Boston University Medical School Sister Frances Donovan Emmanuel College Goeffrey Edsall Massachusetts State Laboratory Institute John F. Enders Children's Hospital Medical Center Maxwell Finland Boston Department of Health & Hospitals George-E. Foley Children's Hospital Medical Center Kenneth F. Girard* Massachusetts' State Laboratory Institute Evelyn W. Hibbard Connecticut Department of Health Malcolm Hinchliffe Rhode Island Department of Health Edward H. Kass Boston Department of Health
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Department of Biology, Report to the President 2016-2017
    Department of Biology Academic year 2016–2017 was exciting and productive for the Department of Biology. The department is considered one of the best biological science departments in the world. Our superb faculty members are leaders in biological research and education. Some of the news regarding our faculty, research, and educational programs is highlighted below. Faculty Count and Departures During AY2017, the Department of Biology had 56 faculty members: 44 full professors, eight associate professors, and four assistant professors. Research homes are distributed among Building 68, the Broad Institute, the Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, the Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, and the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research. In addition to 56 primary faculty members, there were six faculty members with secondary appointments in Biology. These joint faculty members provide important connections to other departments, including Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Chemistry, Biological Engineering, and Civil and Environmental Engineering. We are saddened by the loss of Professor Susan Lindquist, who passed away in October 2016. Hidde Ploegh (Whitehead Institute) moved to Children’s Hospital in January 2017. Professor William (Chip) Quinn (Biology/Brain and Cognitive Sciences) retired in July 2016. Faculty Awards Department of Biology faculty members are widely recognized for their contributions to the field. Among our core faculty are three Nobel Laureates, 30 members of the National Academy of Sciences, 28 members of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, 14 fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, four recipients of the National Science Foundation National Medal of Science, and 15 Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) investigators.
    [Show full text]
  • MALARIA Despite All Differences in Biological Detail and Clinical Manifestations, Every Parasite's Existence Is Based on the Same Simple Basic Rule
    MALARIA Despite all differences in biological detail and clinical manifestations, every parasite's existence is based on the same simple basic rule: A PARASITE CAN BE CONSIDERED TO BE THE DEVICE OF A NUCLEIC ACID WHICH ALLOWS IT TO EXPLOIT THE GENE PRODUCTS OF OTHER NUCLEIC ACIDS - THE HOST ORGANISMS John Maynard Smith Today: The history of malaria The biology of malaria Host-parasite interaction Prevention and therapy About 4700 years ago, the Chinese emperor Huang-Ti ordered the compilation of a medical textbook that contained all diseases known at the time. In this book, malaria is described in great detail - the earliest written report of this disease. Collection of the University of Hongkong ts 03/07 Hawass et al., Journal of the American Medical Association 303, 2010, 638 ts 02/10 Today, malaria is considered a typical „tropical“ disease. As little as 200 years ago, this was quite different. And today it is again difficult to predict if global warming might cause a renewed expansion of malaria into the Northern hemisphere www.ch.ic.ac.uk ts 03/08 Was it prayers or was it malaria ? A pious myth relates that in the year 452, the the ardent prayers of pope Leo I prevented the conquest of Rome by the huns of king Attila. A more biological consideration might suggest that the experienced warrior king Attila was much more impressed by the information that Rome was in the grip of a devastating epidemic of which we can assume today that it was malaria. ts 03/07 In Europe, malaria was a much feared disease throughout most of European history.
    [Show full text]
  • Annual Report of the Massachusetts Commission on Mental Diseases Of
    TH** •O0«-»iA Public Document No. 117 SECOND ANNUAL EEPOET Massachusetts Commission on Mental Diseases THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS Year ending November 30, 1917. BOSTON: WRIGHT & POTTER PRINTING CO., STATE PRINTERS, 32 DERNE street. 1918. Publication of this Document approved by the Supervisor of Administration. TABLE OF CONTENTS. * PAGE Members of the Commission and List of Officers, 5 Letter of Transmission to Governor and Council, 7 Duties of the Commission, ..... 9,10 Activities of the Commission, ..... 10-15 Review of the Year: — All Classes under Care, ..... 16,17 The Insane, ....... 17-23 The Feeble-minded, . 23,24 The Epileptic, ....... 24,25 Report of the Pathologist, ..... 25-54 Reports of Committees on Nursing Service, . 54-61 Out-patient Departments, ..... 61-71 Commitments for Observation and Temporary Care, 71-73 Stability of Service, ...... 74,75 Capacity for Patients, ..... 76-78 Institutions : — Public 79-127 Private, . 127-130 Unlicensed Homes, . 131 Family Care of the Insane, .... 131-134 The Commission: — Proceedings of, . 135 Plans and Specifications, ..... 135 Estimates of State Expenses for 1918: — The Commission, 135, 136 Maintenance Appropriations, 136-138 Special Appropriations, .... 139-142 Financial Statement of Commission, 143, 144 Support Department, ..... 145-148 Deportations, ....... 148, 149 Transfers, ....... 150 Financial Department, . 150 General Matters : — New Legislation, ...... 151-160 Nineteen-year Statement as to Special Appropriations, 160-162 Financial Statistics, ....... 163-201 General Statistics, ....... 203-265 Directors^ of Institutions, ...... 266-278 Index, ......... 279-286 Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2010 with funding from Boston Library Consortium IVIember Libraries http://www.archive.org/details/annualreportofma1917mass2 Members of the Massachusetts Commission on Mental Diseases.
    [Show full text]
  • Biochemistrystanford00kornrich.Pdf
    University of California Berkeley Regional Oral History Office University of California The Bancroft Library Berkeley, California Program in the History of the Biosciences and Biotechnology Arthur Kornberg, M.D. BIOCHEMISTRY AT STANFORD, BIOTECHNOLOGY AT DNAX With an Introduction by Joshua Lederberg Interviews Conducted by Sally Smith Hughes, Ph.D. in 1997 Copyright 1998 by The Regents of the University of California Since 1954 the Regional Oral History Office has been interviewing leading participants in or well-placed witnesses to major events in the development of Northern California, the West, and the Nation. Oral history is a method of collecting historical information through tape-recorded interviews between a narrator with firsthand knowledge of historically significant events and a well- informed interviewer, with the goal of preserving substantive additions to the historical record. The tape recording is transcribed, lightly edited for continuity and clarity, and reviewed by the interviewee. The corrected manuscript is indexed, bound with photographs and illustrative materials, and placed in The Bancroft Library at the University of California, Berkeley, and in other research collections for scholarly use. Because it is primary material, oral history is not intended to present the final, verified, or complete narrative of events. It is a spoken account, offered by the interviewee in response to questioning, and as such it is reflective, partisan, deeply involved, and irreplaceable. ************************************ All uses of this manuscript are covered by a legal agreement between The Regents of the University of California and Arthur Kornberg, M.D., dated June 18, 1997. The manuscript is thereby made available for research purposes. All literary rights in the manuscript, including the right to publish, are reserved to The Bancroft Library of the University of California, Berkeley.
    [Show full text]
  • Cambridge's 92 Nobel Prize Winners Part 2 - 1951 to 1974: from Crick and Watson to Dorothy Hodgkin
    Cambridge's 92 Nobel Prize winners part 2 - 1951 to 1974: from Crick and Watson to Dorothy Hodgkin By Cambridge News | Posted: January 18, 2016 By Adam Care The News has been rounding up all of Cambridge's 92 Nobel Laureates, celebrating over 100 years of scientific and social innovation. ADVERTISING In this installment we move from 1951 to 1974, a period which saw a host of dramatic breakthroughs, in biology, atomic science, the discovery of pulsars and theories of global trade. It's also a period which saw The Eagle pub come to national prominence and the appearance of the first female name in Cambridge University's long Nobel history. The Gender Pay Gap Sale! Shop Online to get 13.9% off From 8 - 11 March, get 13.9% off 1,000s of items, it highlights the pay gap between men & women in the UK. Shop the Gender Pay Gap Sale – now. Promoted by Oxfam 1. 1951 Ernest Walton, Trinity College: Nobel Prize in Physics, for using accelerated particles to study atomic nuclei 2. 1951 John Cockcroft, St John's / Churchill Colleges: Nobel Prize in Physics, for using accelerated particles to study atomic nuclei Walton and Cockcroft shared the 1951 physics prize after they famously 'split the atom' in Cambridge 1932, ushering in the nuclear age with their particle accelerator, the Cockcroft-Walton generator. In later years Walton returned to his native Ireland, as a fellow of Trinity College Dublin, while in 1951 Cockcroft became the first master of Churchill College, where he died 16 years later. 3. 1952 Archer Martin, Peterhouse: Nobel Prize in Chemistry, for developing partition chromatography 4.
    [Show full text]
  • CURRICULUM VITAE George M. Weinstock, Ph.D
    CURRICULUM VITAE George M. Weinstock, Ph.D. DATE September 26, 2014 BIRTHDATE February 6, 1949 CITIZENSHIP USA ADDRESS The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine 10 Discovery Drive Farmington, CT 06032 [email protected] phone: 860-837-2420 PRESENT POSITION Associate Director for Microbial Genomics Professor Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine UNDERGRADUATE 1966-1967 Washington University EDUCATION 1967-1970 University of Michigan 1970 B.S. (with distinction) Biophysics, Univ. Mich. GRADUATE 1970-1977 PHS Predoctoral Trainee, Dept. Biology, EDUCATION Mass. Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 1977 Ph.D., Advisor: David Botstein Thesis title: Genetic and physical studies of bacteriophage P22 genomes containing translocatable drug resistance elements. POSTDOCTORAL 1977-1980 Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Biochemistry TRAINING Stanford University Medical School, Stanford, CA. Advisor: Dr. I. Robert Lehman. ACADEMIC POSITIONS/EMPLOYMENT/EXPERIENCE 1980-1981 Staff Scientist, Molec. Gen. Section, NCI-Frederick Cancer Research Facility, Frederick, MD 1981-1983 Staff Scientist, Laboratory of Genetics and Recombinant DNA, NCI-Frederick Cancer Research Facility, Frederick, MD 1981-1984 Adjunct Associate Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Catonsville, MD 1983-1984 Senior Scientist and Head, DNA Metabolism Section, Lab. Genetics and Recombinant DNA, NCI-Frederick Cancer Research Facility, Frederick, MD 1984-1990 Associate Professor with tenure (1985) Department of Biochemistry
    [Show full text]
  • 2004 Albert Lasker Nomination Form
    albert and mary lasker foundation 110 East 42nd Street Suite 1300 New York, ny 10017 November 3, 2003 tel 212 286-0222 fax 212 286-0924 Greetings: www.laskerfoundation.org james w. fordyce On behalf of the Albert and Mary Lasker Foundation, I invite you to submit a nomination Chairman neen hunt, ed.d. for the 2004 Albert Lasker Medical Research Awards. President mrs. anne b. fordyce The Awards will be offered in three categories: Basic Medical Research, Clinical Medical Vice President Research, and Special Achievement in Medical Science. This is the 59th year of these christopher w. brody Treasurer awards. Since the program was first established in 1944, 68 Lasker Laureates have later w. michael brown Secretary won Nobel Prizes. Additional information on previous Lasker Laureates can be found jordan u. gutterman, m.d. online at our web site http://www.laskerfoundation.org. Representative Albert Lasker Medical Research Awards Program Nominations that have been made in previous years may be updated and resubmitted in purnell w. choppin, m.d. accordance with the instructions on page 2 of this nomination booklet. daniel e. koshland, jr., ph.d. mrs. william mccormick blair, jr. the honorable mark o. hatfied Nominations should be received by the Foundation no later than February 2, 2004. Directors Emeritus A distinguished panel of jurors will select the scientists to be honored. The 2004 Albert Lasker Medical Research Awards will be presented at a luncheon ceremony given by the Foundation in New York City on Friday, October 1, 2004. Sincerely, Joseph L. Goldstein, M.D. Chairman, Awards Jury Albert Lasker Medical Research Awards ALBERT LASKER MEDICAL2004 RESEARCH AWARDS PURPOSE AND DESCRIPTION OF THE AWARDS The major purpose of these Awards is to recognize and honor individuals who have made signifi- cant contributions in basic or clinical research in diseases that are the main cause of death and disability.
    [Show full text]
  • Causes of Delayed Immunization with Pneumococcal Vaccine and Aetiological Patterns of Pneumonia in Young Children
    Revista Latinoamericana de Hipertensión ISSN: 1856-4550 [email protected] Sociedad Latinoamericana de Hipertensión Venezuela Causes of delayed immunization with pneumococcal vaccine and aetiological patterns of pneumonia in young children Tukbekova, B. T.; Kizatova, S. T.; Zhanpeissova, A. A.; Dyussenova, S. B.; Serikova, G.B.; Isaeva, A.A.; Tlegenova, K.S.; Kiryanova, T.A. Causes of delayed immunization with pneumococcal vaccine and aetiological patterns of pneumonia in young children Revista Latinoamericana de Hipertensión, vol. 14, no. 3, 2019 Sociedad Latinoamericana de Hipertensión, Venezuela Available in: https://www.redalyc.org/articulo.oa?id=170263176021 Derechos reservados. Queda prohibida la reproducción total o parcial de todo el material contenido en la revista sin el consentimiento por escrito del editor en jefe. Copias de los artículos: Todo pedido de separatas deberá ser gestionado directamente con el editor en jefe, quien gestionará dicha solicitud ante la editorial encargada de la publicación. This work is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International. PDF generated from XML JATS4R by Redalyc Project academic non-profit, developed under the open access initiative B. T. Tukbekova, et al. Causes of delayed immunization with pneumococcal vaccine and aetiological ... Artículos Causes of delayed immunization with pneumococcal vaccine and aetiological patterns of pneumonia in young children Causas de la inmunización tardía con la vacuna neumocócica y los patrones etiológicos de neumonía en niños pequeños B. T. Tukbekova Redalyc: https://www.redalyc.org/articulo.oa? Karaganda State Medical University, Department id=170263176021 of childhood diseases no. 2, Karaganda, Kazakhstan, Kazajistán [email protected] http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4279-3638 S.
    [Show full text]
  • Watson's Way with Words
    books and arts My teeth were set on edge by reference to “the stable form of uranium”,a violation of Kepler’s second law in a description of how the Earth’s orbit would change under various circumstances, and by “the rest mass of the neutrino is 4 eV”. Collins has been well served by his editor and publisher, but not perfectly. There are un-sort-out-able mismatches between text and index, references and figures; acronyms D.WRITING LIFE OF JAMES THE WATSON in the second half of the alphabet go un- decoded; several well-known names are misspelled. And readers are informed that Weber’s death occurred “on September 31, E. C. FRIEDBERG, 2000”. Well, Joe always said he could do things that other people couldn’t, but there are limits. Incidentally, my adviser was partly right: I should not have agreed to review this book. It is very much harder to hear harsh, some- times false, things said about one’s spouse after he can no longer defend himself. I am not alone in this feeling. Carvel Gold, widow of Thomas Gold, whose work was also far from universally accepted (see Nature 430, 415;2004),says the same thing. ■ Virginia Trimble is at the University of California, Irvine, California 92697-4575, USA. She and Joe The write idea? In The Double Helix,James Watson gave Weber were married from 16 March 1972 until his a personal account of the quest for the structure of DNA. death on 30 September 2000. Watson set out to produce a good story that the public would enjoy as much as The Great Gatsby.He started writing in 1962 with the working title “Honest Jim”,which is illumi- Watson’s way nating in itself.
    [Show full text]
  • Mutation Rates of Escherichia Coli with Different Balanced Growth Rates: a New Fluctuation Test Protocol and Phenotypic Lag Adju
    Mutation rates of Escherichia coli with different balanced growth rates: a new fluctuation test protocol and phenotypic lag adjustments by Christian Terry Henderson Barna A thesis presented to the University of Waterloo in fulfilment of the thesis requirement for the degree of Master of Mathematics in Applied Mathematics Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, 2020 c Christian Terry Henderson Barna 2020 Author's Declaration I hereby declare that I am the sole author of this thesis. This is a true copy of the thesis, including any required final revisions, as accepted by my examiners. I understand that my thesis may be made electronically available to the public. ii Abstract Bacteria are the oldest, most abundant life form on the planet, and every other organ- ism's livelihood is dependent on them. The bacteria Escherichia coli (E. coli) is commonly used in microbiology as a model organism to give insight into the functions of bacteria and cells in general. Of particular interest in these studies is the methods with which bacteria grow and evolve. Growth is what propagates a bacteria's species; whereas evolution is what allows them to adapt to the ever-changing world. Evolution is made possible by mutations which change a bacterium's DNA. In 1943, Luria and Delbr¨uck developed a method, called a “fluctuation test", to estimate mutation rates from the number of mutants in a collection of parallel cultures exposed to a selecting agent after growth. The original fluctuation test methodology suffers from two major limitations. First, the bacteria are not in a re- producible, balanced state of growth throughout the test.
    [Show full text]
  • René Dubos, Tuberculosis, and the “Ecological Facets of Virulence”
    HPLS (2017) 39:15 DOI 10.1007/s40656-017-0142-5 ORIGINAL PAPER René Dubos, tuberculosis, and the “ecological facets of virulence” Mark Honigsbaum1 Received: 15 January 2017 / Accepted: 23 June 2017 / Published online: 4 July 2017 © The Author(s) 2017. This article is an open access publication Abstract Reflecting on his scientific career toward the end of his life, the French- educated medical researcher Rene´ Dubos presented his flowering as an ecological thinker as a story of linear progression—the inevitable product of the intellectual seeds planted in his youth. But how much store should we set by Dubos’s account of his ecological journey? Resisting retrospective biographical readings, this paper seeks to relate the development of Dubos’s ecological ideas to his experimental practices and his career as a laboratory researcher. In particular, I focus on Dubos’s studies of tuberculosis at the Rockefeller Institute in the period 1944–1956—studies which began with an inquiry into the tubercle bacillus and the physiochemical determinants of virulence, but which soon encompassed a wider investigation of the influence of environmental forces and host–parasite interactions on susceptibility and resistance to infection in animal models. At the same time, through a close reading of Dubos’s scientific papers and correspondence, I show how he both drew on and distinguished his ecological ideas from those of other medical researchers such as Theobald Smith, Frank Macfarlane Burnet, and Frank Fenner. However, whereas Burnet and Fenner tended to view ecological interactions at the level of populations, Dubos focused on the interface of hosts and parasites in the physio- logical environments of individuals.
    [Show full text]
  • Infectious Disease in Philadelphia, 1690- 1807
    ABSTRACT Title of Dissertation: INFECTIOUS DISEASE IN PHILADELPHIA, 1690- 1807: AN ECOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE Gilda Marie Anroman, Doctor of Philosophy, 2006 Dissertation directed by: Professor Mary Corbin Sies Department of American Studies This dissertation examines the multiple factors that influenced the pattern and distribution of infectious disease in Philadelphia between the years 1690 and 1807, and explores the possible reasons for the astonishingly high level of death from disease throughout the city at this time . What emerges from this study is a complex picture of a city undergoing rapid cultural and epidemiological changes . Large -scale immigration supplied a susceptible population group, as international trade, densely packed street s, unsanitary living conditions, and a stagnant and contaminated water supply combined to create ideal circumstances for the proliferation of both pathogen s and vectors, set ting the stage for the many public health crises that plagued Philadelphia for more than one hundred years. This study uses an ecological perspective to understand how disease worked in Philadelphia . The idea that disease is virtually always a result of the interplay of the environment, the genetic and physical make -up of the individual , and the agent of disease is one of the most importan t cause and effect ideas underpinned by epidemiology. This dissertation integrates me thods from the health sciences, humanities, and social sciences to demonstrate how disease “emergence” in Philadelphia was a dynamic feature of the interrelationships between people and their socio -cultural and physical environments. Classic epidemiological theory , informed by ecological thinking, is used to rev isit the city’s reconstructed demographic data, bills of mortality, selected diaries (notably that of Elizabeth Drinker ), personal letters, contemporary observations and medical literature .
    [Show full text]