DNA Papers #3: Walter Sutton

Perspectives on Science

The papers discussed in episode 3 of the DNA Papers do not mention DNA in any way at all! And yet they are vitally important in any history of DNA because they provided the first step in bringing together a visible cellular component—the chromosome—both with ideas about heredity and about the chemical workings of living cells (DNA). The two papers, “On the Morphology of the Chromosome Group in Brachystola Magna,” and “The chromosomes in heredity,” were published in 1902 and 1903 in the journal The Biological Bulletin, by Walter Sutton. Here to share their insights about the bearings of Sutton and his discoveries and thoughts on the hereditary functions of the chromosomes are: Matthew Cobb, University of Manchester Durgadas Kasbekar, The Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics Vassiliki Betty Smocovitis, University of Florida See also a collection of Resources at https://www.chstm.org/video/144. Recorded on on Aug 25, 2022