NATIONAL. SCIENCE FOUNDATION
WASHINGTON 25, D. C.

March 31, 1959

Dr. Joshua Lederberg
Department of Genetics
Stanford University
Medical School
Stanford, California

Dear Dr, Lederberg:

Thank you for your review of Dr. Vischniac's proposal on the
development of instruments for the detection of microorganisms
on other planets, Your comments will be of great value to us in
the evaluation of this proposal, We do not know what disposition
we shall make of this application as other reviews have not been
received as yet.

We are especially pleased to learn of the activities of the
Western Group of Planetary Biology, The notes of the meeting of
this group are indeed informative, and we are grateful for your
thoughtfulness in sending them on to us.

Your continued cooperation in these matters is indeed
appreciated,

Sincerely yours,

(ronge Sprugel /Den

George Sprugel, Jr.
Program Director for
Environnental Biology