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{{short description|American molecular biologist}}
{{Wikify|December 2006}}
Julius Marmur (born March 22, 1926, died 1996) made significant contributions to the science of [[molecular biology]]. In particular, his discovery, while working in the laboratory of [[Paul Doty]] at Harvard, that the denaturation of DNA was reversible and depended on salt and GC content, had a major impact on how scientists thought about DNA, and how DNA could be handled in vitro; thus, this discovery was a cornerstone of the [[recombinant DNA]] revolution. Marmur spent most of his professional career at the [[Albert Einstein College of Medicine]] (AECOM), Bronx, NY based medical school affiliated with [[Yeshiva University]].
'''Julius Marmur''' (March 22, 1926 – May 20, 1996) was an American [[molecular biologist]] who made significant contributions to [[DNA]] research. His discovery, while working in the laboratory of [[Paul M. Doty|Paul Doty]] at [[Harvard University]], that the [[Nucleic acid thermodynamics|denaturation of DNA]] was reversible ([[Nucleic acid hybridization|DNA hybridization]]) and depended on salt- and [[GC-content]],<ref>{{cite journal |vauthors=Marmur J, Doty P | title = Determination of the base composition of deoxyribonucleic acid from its thermal denaturation temperature | journal = J Mol Biol | year = 1962 | volume = 5 | pages = 109–18 | doi = 10.1016/S0022-2836(62)80066-7 | pmid = 14470099}}</ref> had a major impact on how scientists thought about DNA, and how DNA could be handled ''[[in vitro]]''. This discovery was a cornerstone of the [[recombinant DNA]] revolution.


DNA strand recombination was observed using bacterial DNA; monitoring [[Hyperchromicity|absorbance-temperature curves]], [[Differential centrifugation|density-gradient ultracentrifugation]] and by direct inspection using [[Electron microscope|electron microscopy]].<ref>{{Cite journal|title = Strand separation and specific recombination in deoxyribonucleic acids: Physical chemical studies|vauthors=Doty P, Marmur J, Eigner J, Schildkraut C |date = 1960|journal = Proc Natl Acad Sci USA |doi = 10.1073/pnas.46.4.461|pmid = 16590628|pmc=222859 |volume=46 |issue=4 |pages=461–76|bibcode = 1960PNAS...46..461D|doi-access=free }}</ref> Further evidence of reversible hybridization was given by experiments measuring the ability of heat-treated DNA to [[Transformation (genetics)|transform]] bacterial strains.<ref>{{Cite journal|title = Strand separation and specific recombination in deoxyribonucleic acids: Biological studies|vauthors=Marmur J, Lane D |date = 1960 |journal= Proc Natl Acad Sci USA |issue=4 |pages=453–461 |doi= 10.1073/pnas.46.4.453 |pmid = 16590627 |pmc=222858 |volume=46 |bibcode = 1960PNAS...46..453M|doi-access=free }}</ref>
Sadly, AECOM, while supporting an annual symposium in Julius' honor (http://www.aecom.yu.edu/home/search_page.asp) does not list his biography on their web site.


Marmur was born in [[Białystok]], Poland, grew up in Canada and graduated from [[McGill University]] in 1946. He received a master's degree from McGill and a PhD in bacterial physiology from [[Iowa State University]].
A standard work on the history of molecular biology, such as Horace Freeland Judson's "The eigth day of creation' may be consulted.


Marmur spent most of his professional career at [[Albert Einstein College of Medicine]] in the [[Bronx]], [[New York City|New York]], affiliated with [[Yeshiva University]]. Honoring the memory of Dr. Marmur, the college holds an annual Julius Marmur Symposium acknowledging excellence in graduate student research.
In an historical context, Julius can be seen as a figure who bridged the work of the 1940s and 50s, as exemplified by [[Rollin Hotchkiss]], with the work of the 70s and later.


==References==
Two Articles written by scientists:
<references/>
Szybalski W.
In memoriam. Julius Marmur (1926-1996).
Gene. 1997 Dec 19;204(1-2):1-3.


==Further reading==
Doty P.
*{{cite journal | author = Doty P | title = Julius Marmur (1926–96) | journal = Nature | year = 1996 | volume = 381 | issue = 6583 | pages = 557 | doi = 10.1038/381557a0 | pmid = 8637585| bibcode = 1996Natur.381..557D | s2cid = 4341140 | doi-access = free }}
Julius Marmur (1926-96)
*{{cite journal | author = Szybalski W | title = In memoriam. Julius Marmur (1926–1996) | journal = Gene | volume = 204 | issue = 1–2 | pages = 1–3 | doi = 10.1016/S0378-1119(97)00544-1 | year = 1997 | pmid = 9463079}}
Nature. 1996 Jun 13;381(6583):557.


{{authority control}}
Key Paper

MARMUR J, DOTY P.
{{DEFAULTSORT:Marmur, Julius}}
Determination of the base composition of deoxyribonucleic acid from its thermal denaturation temperature.
[[Category:1926 births]]
J Mol Biol. 1962 Jul;5:109-18.
[[Category:1996 deaths]]
[[Category:Harvard University staff]]
[[Category:Yeshiva University faculty]]
[[Category:American biologists]]
[[Category:20th-century American biologists]]

Latest revision as of 08:23, 10 November 2024

Julius Marmur (March 22, 1926 – May 20, 1996) was an American molecular biologist who made significant contributions to DNA research. His discovery, while working in the laboratory of Paul Doty at Harvard University, that the denaturation of DNA was reversible (DNA hybridization) and depended on salt- and GC-content,[1] had a major impact on how scientists thought about DNA, and how DNA could be handled in vitro. This discovery was a cornerstone of the recombinant DNA revolution.

DNA strand recombination was observed using bacterial DNA; monitoring absorbance-temperature curves, density-gradient ultracentrifugation and by direct inspection using electron microscopy.[2] Further evidence of reversible hybridization was given by experiments measuring the ability of heat-treated DNA to transform bacterial strains.[3]

Marmur was born in Białystok, Poland, grew up in Canada and graduated from McGill University in 1946. He received a master's degree from McGill and a PhD in bacterial physiology from Iowa State University.

Marmur spent most of his professional career at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx, New York, affiliated with Yeshiva University. Honoring the memory of Dr. Marmur, the college holds an annual Julius Marmur Symposium acknowledging excellence in graduate student research.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Marmur J, Doty P (1962). "Determination of the base composition of deoxyribonucleic acid from its thermal denaturation temperature". J Mol Biol. 5: 109–18. doi:10.1016/S0022-2836(62)80066-7. PMID 14470099.
  2. ^ Doty P, Marmur J, Eigner J, Schildkraut C (1960). "Strand separation and specific recombination in deoxyribonucleic acids: Physical chemical studies". Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 46 (4): 461–76. Bibcode:1960PNAS...46..461D. doi:10.1073/pnas.46.4.461. PMC 222859. PMID 16590628.
  3. ^ Marmur J, Lane D (1960). "Strand separation and specific recombination in deoxyribonucleic acids: Biological studies". Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 46 (4): 453–461. Bibcode:1960PNAS...46..453M. doi:10.1073/pnas.46.4.453. PMC 222858. PMID 16590627.

Further reading

[edit]
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