DNA Papers # 7: Avery, McLeod and McCarty

Perspectives on Science

The seventh episode of the DNA Papers is the central one in this podcast series, not only because it marks the halfway point of the podcast, but also, more so, because the paper discussed is at the center of the history of all twentieth century biology. Written by a trio of microbiologists at the Rockefeller University in New York City, this paper without saying so in actual words, represents the first publication to offer evidence that DNA (though not yet known by that name) is the stuff that makes up genes: Avery, Oswald T., Colin M. MacLeod, and Maclyn McCarty. “Studies on the Chemical Nature of the Substance Inducing Transformation of Pneumococcal Types: Induction of Transformation by a Desoxyribonucleic Acid Fraction Isolated from Pneumococcus Type III.” The Journal of Experimental Medicine 79, no. 2 (1944): 137–58. Joining the discussion of this historic paper are the following expert commentators: Matthew Cobb, University of Manchester Ute Deichmann, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Geoff Montgomery, Independent Science Writer, New York City Please see https://www.chstm.org/video/144 for additional resources on this topic. Recorded on April 28, 2023.