August 9, 1955

Dr. Vernon Bryson

Program Director for Genetic Biology
National Science Foundation
Washington 25, D.C.

Dear Dr. Bryson:

I am enclosing a number of copies of an application for a research
grant to support our work on genetic transduction in FE. coli K-12. This
proposal has not yet been submitted through the University's administra~
tive officers, and its presentation at this time is therefore informal.

A formally endorsed copy will be forwarded later if it meets with the
approfal of Vice-President Petersom, who is authorized to negotiate for
$he University on these matters, I am sending the advance copies in order
to leave time to take care of any questions I may not have anticipated,
prior to the Sepetmber 15 deadline.

As stated in the proposal, the immediate purpose is to continue Dr.
Moree's studies on the Gal-Lp transduction in E. coli K-12. This has proved
to be one of the most interesting studies we have had an eccasion to meet
with in this laboratory, and it has engaged the cloee attention not only
of Dr. Morse byt of Dr. E. Lederberg and myself in its various aspects.

As a graduate student, Morse proved himself to be an extremely well balanced
research worker, with outstanding success both in the theoretical desigh
and the practical execution of these experiments, and I am particularly
hopeful to be able to continue the collaboration.

Dr. Morse's stipend tis based on local standards, and perhaps needs no
further explanation. However, he came to this laboratory after having had
considerable research experience at Oak Ridge, and is a far more mature investi-
gator than might be suggested by the recency of his Ph.D. degree. He has al-
ready been offered other positions than would pay considerably more than the
indicated stipend. For his second year} it might be messary to increase his
salary (for competitive reasons) beyond the amount indicated. If so, it might
be a question whether to encourage him to stay, or alternatively to seek uni-
versity approval for a further increase, to be made up from other funds. He
is married and has one child,

I would particularly call your attention to our hope that if the proposal
is acceptable, 1t be activated at the earliest possible date » as stated in the
proposal. We should have prepared this application for an earlier deadline » but
last mantge- 3% was too soon to anticipate the details of the present circumstances.
\-

Yours sincerely,

SY
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of Joshua Lederberg
os vf Professor of Genetics