January 24, 1974
Dear Matt,
You may recall that some five years ago we had the cockeyed notion to use restriction enzymes to cut tumor virus DNAs at specific locations.  At that time you sent me some purified K restriction enzyme to test and as luck would have it, we chose polyoma DNA to test and the K enzyme to restrict. That negative result turned us away from that approach and we've been kicking ourselves ever since.
But now we have another use for the K enzyme and I'd like to impose on your generosity again if you have any of the purified enzyme.  As you may know, K enzyme does not cut SV40.  We want, therefore, to use the enzyme to treat a mixture of RI cut SV40 and cellular DNA in the hopes of reducing the fraction of DNA's which can form intramolecular circles by hybridization and ligasing.  Would it be possible to beg some from you or if you don't have any, to tell me who might have some? I'd appreciate it greatly.
I haven't seen you for ages but I understand you've been very busy on the Vietnam defoliation project as well as the many other things you manage to do.  I gather there's a chance you'll be attending that Paris symposium on Man and His Future in September.  Hope to see you there if not sooner.
With best wishes and regards
for the New Year,
Sincerely,