March 21, 1983
Dear Sir:
A group of us here at The Johns Hopkins University, representing a fairly broad spectrum of biology, chemistry and chemical engineering, would like to submit the enclosed prospectus for your consideration in connection with the Centers for Scientific Excellence described in the February 14 issue of Chemical and Engineering News.
We are very enthusiastic about the potential of the program which is based on the unique properties of a population of extremely thermophilic bacteria isolated from effluents emerging from tectonic vents in the Pacific Ocean at temperatures of 350 degrees C, and upwards of 300 atmospheres pressure. Preliminary studies that have been carried out on the metabolic properties of these organisms suggest that they may serve as B source of unusually heat stable enzymes and enzymes systems that might have great value in industrial applications.
We look forward to hearing from you about the next stage in the selection process and, at that time, can go into considerably more detail in relation to the staffing and budgeting of the overall proposal.
Sincerely yours,
Christian B. Anfinsen
Professor of Biology
John Dearden
Director, University Sponsored Projects