Leonard Lerman
Encyclopedia
Leonard Lerman is an American scientist most noted for his work on DNA.
As a graduate student with Linus Pauling
at the California Institute of Technology
, Lerman discovered that antibodies have two binding sites. Later, perhaps his most important discovery was that certain molecules bind to DNA
by intercalation
. This discovery has shaped much of science's understanding about how drugs and mutagen
s interact with DNA.
Lerman led a productive research program at Vanderbilt University
in Nashville
, the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver and SUNY Albany, the State University of New York at Albany. Lerman's lab crew included at least one Nobel prize winner, Sidney Altman
, and another, Tom Maniatis
, who also became one of the leading molecular biologists of his time.
Lerman's last major effort, begun with Stuart Fischer at SUNY
, was the invention of denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE), a technique used to separate DNA molecules. DGGE is widely used by scientists who wish to ascertain biodiversity in microbial communities.
Dr. Lerman was also a senior member of one of the first biotechnology
companies, the Genetics Institute.
Dr. Lerman is a member of the National Academy of Sciences, USA. http://www.nasonline.org/site/PageServer?pagename=MEMBERS_Main
As a graduate student with Linus Pauling
Linus Pauling
Linus Carl Pauling was an American chemist, biochemist, peace activist, author, and educator. He was one of the most influential chemists in history and ranks among the most important scientists of the 20th century...
at the California Institute of Technology
California Institute of Technology
The California Institute of Technology is a private research university located in Pasadena, California, United States. Caltech has six academic divisions with strong emphases on science and engineering...
, Lerman discovered that antibodies have two binding sites. Later, perhaps his most important discovery was that certain molecules bind to DNA
DNA
Deoxyribonucleic acid is a nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms . The DNA segments that carry this genetic information are called genes, but other DNA sequences have structural purposes, or are involved in...
by intercalation
Intercalation (chemistry)
In chemistry, intercalation is the reversible inclusion of a molecule between two other molecules . Examples include DNA intercalation and graphite intercalation compounds.- DNA intercalation :...
. This discovery has shaped much of science's understanding about how drugs and mutagen
Mutagen
In genetics, a mutagen is a physical or chemical agent that changes the genetic material, usually DNA, of an organism and thus increases the frequency of mutations above the natural background level. As many mutations cause cancer, mutagens are therefore also likely to be carcinogens...
s interact with DNA.
Lerman led a productive research program at Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University is a private research university located in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. Founded in 1873, the university is named for shipping and rail magnate "Commodore" Cornelius Vanderbilt, who provided Vanderbilt its initial $1 million endowment despite having never been to the...
in Nashville
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
, the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver and SUNY Albany, the State University of New York at Albany. Lerman's lab crew included at least one Nobel prize winner, Sidney Altman
Sidney Altman
Sidney Altman is a Canadian American molecular biologist, who is currently the Sterling Professor of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology and Chemistry at Yale University. In 1989 he shared the Nobel Prize in Chemistry with Thomas R...
, and another, Tom Maniatis
Tom Maniatis
Tom Maniatis born 8 May 1943 in Denver, Colorado is an American professor of molecular and cellular biology.Maniatis is a graduate of the University of Colorado and one of the founders of modern molecular cloning...
, who also became one of the leading molecular biologists of his time.
Lerman's last major effort, begun with Stuart Fischer at SUNY
State University of New York
The State University of New York, abbreviated SUNY , is a system of public institutions of higher education in New York, United States. It is the largest comprehensive system of universities, colleges, and community colleges in the United States, with a total enrollment of 465,000 students, plus...
, was the invention of denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE), a technique used to separate DNA molecules. DGGE is widely used by scientists who wish to ascertain biodiversity in microbial communities.
Dr. Lerman was also a senior member of one of the first biotechnology
Biotechnology
Biotechnology is a field of applied biology that involves the use of living organisms and bioprocesses in engineering, technology, medicine and other fields requiring bioproducts. Biotechnology also utilizes these products for manufacturing purpose...
companies, the Genetics Institute.
Dr. Lerman is a member of the National Academy of Sciences, USA. http://www.nasonline.org/site/PageServer?pagename=MEMBERS_Main
External links
- To view scientific papers by Dr. Lerman, go to http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi. Set the search box to "pubmed" and enter "Lerman LS" in the term box (no quotes in either). This should pull up a list of 50-some scientific publications with Dr. Lerman as author, including articles with Altman and Maniatis.
- Sidney Altman's Nobel Prize Autobiography with a description of the time he spent working with Leonard Lerman in Colorado