History of Genomics (Part 2: 1901 to 1953)
Introduction » up to 1900 » 1901 to 1953 » 1954 to 1982 » 1983 to 2008
This is a timeline of major events in the science of genomics: the science of DNA encoding and how genes work. Part 2 begins from genetic science at the “Fly Lab” inspired by the theory Mendelian inheritance and concludes with the discovery of the double helix model of DNA.
1900 to 1920: The Physical Gene
1902: British physician Archibald Garrod identifies the first human genetic disease.
Garrod was investigating a rare disease called alkaptonuria when he realized that the disease must be passed genetically in families. This insight suggested to Garrod that many other rare diseases could be understood by inheritance.
1903: American Graduate student Walter Sutton discovers the mechanism of meiosis while studying the sperm cells of grasshoppers and proposes that heredity factors are located in chromosomes.
This was Sutton’s last work in genetics literature. Why? Sutton never finished his PhD. Instead, he earned his M.D. and became a surgeon. Thinking of going ABD to pursue more practical employment? See 100 Years Ago: Walter Sutton and the Chromosome Theory of Heredity if you feel guilty about not feeling guilty enough.
Think Gene at Technorati
