YALE UNIVERSITY

OSBORN BOTANICAL LABORATORY
NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT

May 28, 1947.
Board of Managers,
H.I.H. Researoh Fellowships,
U,8.Public Health Service,
Bethesda, Maryland.
Gentleman:

My application for a National Institute of Health Researoh
fellowship is enclosed herewith. There are, however, certain
considerations relevant to this application which are not con-
veniently explained in the form, amd to which I beg leave to refer
here.

In March 1946, following the completdon of two years! work
at the Columbia Medioal School, I obtained leave of absence to
pursue reagearches in the genetics of bactergZa in this laboratory,
under the direction of Professor E.L, Tatum. This work has been
sponsored by the Jane Soffin Childs Fund for Medical Research.
Publications which have come out of this work are summarized on
page 3 of the form, but are for the most part in press at the pre-
sent time. While pursuing this work, I have registered as a can-
a@idate for the degree of Ph.B., and expect to have completed all
residence requirements, and the preparation of the dissertation
by Septemher 1947, although the degree cannot then be awarded until
the following June. The dissertation consists, for the most part
of the material presented in a paper now in press, due to appear
in the June issue of the Journal of Bacteriology; a draft manusoript
is enclosed, which is the only form of copy available.
The program for which I am requesting financial aid is as
follows: to return to the Columbia Medical School to resume and
complete studies leading to the degree of M.D. This will require
two years, Following this I hope to continue to devote my atten-
tions to medical research, possibly directly along the lines
already developed, namely the genetics of miorworgenisms in
relation to a) problems of abnormal growth and b) the basis of
pathogenicity in pacteria. While attending medical school I hope
to continue, on a part-time basis, similar studies in the laboratory
of Dr, F.J. Ryan of the Dept. of Zoology, Columbia University.

It might be noted that the work leading to the publication entitled
*Reverse-Mutation and Adaptation in Leucineless Neurospora! was
done under just such ciroumstances.

Under the ciroumstances, it is not clear whether I should he
eligible to apply for a Senior ér a Junior fellowhipy a question
which I should like to leave to the discretion of the Board. I
have asked Professor Tatum to explain my academic status; a trans-
oript fowm Yale University id not set available, as my work here
has gonsisted almost entirely of the reasgarohes already mentioned.

Yours sincerely,

~ Joshua Lederberg.
, yeu. her 7