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DEPARTMENT OF GENETICS Py. aay | | _ December o 1947|
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Dr. Warren Weaver ear dec th Winer - oo |
The Rockefeller Foundation Wa att ha bad Ly \., om ye! coy ~{. a a
49 West 49th Street ao. -
New York 20, WN. fY. =

Dear Dr. Weaver:

Following the retirement of Professor L. J. Cole, who reached the age ~ wt
limit last June, we have brought to our staff Joshua Lederberg “to work in Caw, Wan
the field of gene physiology, with special reference to the microorganisms. Sai. uc

_ As @ student with Tatum at Yale Lederberg obtained genetic evidence for -
sexuslity in a particular strain of the colon bacillus. This significant
finding opens up the possibility of using bacteria for genetic studies along
more or less regular lines. Lederberg has laid plans for two specific inves-
tigations on the nature and action of the gene in bacteria, which have re~
cently received the approval of our Administration.

The first of these studies deals with the genetic control of specificity
of glycosidases of Egcherichia coli (strain K12). This work is designed as
a test of the theory of gene action formulated by Beadle and Tatum on the basis
of their Neurospora investigations; namely, that the specificity of a single
enzyme is controlled by a single gene. Lederberg is now accumulating the nec-
essary mutants for this work, and is being given cooperation from Professor
K. P. Link's laboratory in providing the special sugar derivatives needed.

The second principal investigation which Lederberg has in mind will deal
with the extra-cellular transfer (tranefornetion) of the genes in E. soli,
strain C. Boivin of the Pasteur Institute claims to have paralleled with
this EB. coli strain the type transformations in pneumococcus reported by
Griffith and Avery, MacLeod and McCarty, and others. This phenomenon is of
such fundamental biclogical interest that additional work on it is most de=
sirable. Lederberg hopes to start his investigations in this field within

a few months.

The University is to remodel this year a laboratory in the Genetics
Building as permanent quarters for research on the genetics of microorganisms.
Lederberg is using temporary facilities at present. About $8,000 has been
set up to furnish and equip the new laboratory, and operating funds suffici-
ent for the present rather limited research program are being provided this
year. We hope that before the fall of 1948 reasonably adequate facilities
for Lederberg's use will be available out of the funds now in hand. Operating
funds beyond this year remain to be considered.
page 2--December 4, 1947 Warren Weaver

It is the policy of the Wisconsin College of Agriculture to support
basic research fairly liberally within the limits of ite operating funds.
There is a multiplicity of calls, however, for these funds. The Administra-
tion, therefore, normally looks to sources outside the College budget for
help for fundamental work of the kind which Lederberg is undertaking.

Recently Lederberg and I have been considering possible sources of sup-
port outside the University for his investigations. I told him of the timely
help which The Rockefeller Foundation had provided Irwin, and Cooper and my=

self, in the past and suggested that inquiry might be made whether the Founda~
tion would be interested in considering his present needs.

On learning yesterday that you were to be on the campus next week I de-
cided to write you at once with the thought that should you desire it, an

opportunity might be found during your visit to meet Lederberg and discuss
this matter directly.

Lederberg is en unusually able young investigator with an extraordinary
breadth of knowledge and biological interests. He is beginning to be recog~
nized already as a spark plug in the biological research group on the campus.
We are hopeful of important things from him. Our present concern is to pro-

vide him with the means necessary to carry forward & program which appears
sound.

Sincerely yours,

R. A. Brink
Professor of Genetics

RAB/s