Final report of twenty-two years of AEC support, 1953--1975

Results are reported for: the partial clarification of many aspects of genetic transformation in H. influenzae; control of the many facets of the metabolic and genetic pathways of this organism; development of a totally defined medium for both growth and for competence; the discovery, analysis of kinetics and purification of the photphotoreactivating enzyme; the formation of new genetic units (heterozygotes) during renaturation of mixtures of transforming DNA and finally; the generation of mutations in free wild type DNA by nitrous acid or by thymine hydroperoxide. The latter mutagen is formed in DNA exposed to ionizing radiation and explains the mutations induced in genetic material by ionizing radiation. In addition to these research results, graduate students, postdoctorates and faculty have been trained in the molecular mechanisms of genetic processes through the study of transformation. (U.S.)