February 28, 1948.

Mr. Carl A. Beans,
Osborn BotanYical Lab.,
Yale University,
New Haven, Conn.
Dear Carl, ae

Weadl,we've been able to confirm each other's results, even if they are
negative. I cergainly agree with you that the only thing to do next is to
secure a C2-R which can be transformed, and try siaply to repeat Boivin's
observations directly. Like yourself, I tried to isolate the magic strain,
found several roughs last sunuer, and oYould transform none of thea. No answer
frog Boivin to my letters. Ancther etrange thing is that question
of sucrase. In his symposium paper, he says that Cl and C2 may be eucrose-
variable. I tried very hard to select out sucrose‘ mtants from these,and
got nothing. As to polyglycuronide tests, I got very nice distinctions
using the Tollens reagent (Naphthoresorcinol) (look up the crude method in
the Merck index) on cells harvested from about 50 ec. broth culture.

I am going to continue trying to isolate C-2R*, and hope you do the sane.
Have you decided whether youfre going to Stanford? If you do, drop in
on your way across. In fact, here's an open invitation to the whole gang to
do the same. He can put you up-—— but only one at a time. Accomodations are

easily found in town, too.

Are you through with Proteus?

Beat regards,

Jodhua Lederberg

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