Nov. 11, 1952
Dear Dr. Lederberg:
I wonder whether it would be possible for me to obtain strains of K12.  I would like to use them to attempt to prepare mutants by the penicillin[?] method--mutants connected with [...] synthesis.
I would rather start with a sexual organism if possible and that is why I have thought of your K12 strain.  I am told however that there's the added complication of prophage.  Do you have any K12 free of prophage?  Or does that make any difference in growth.
For [...] mutants it would be ideal to start with a highly aerobic, rapidly respiring bacterium--on the assumption that the more actively respiring ones have more [...] enzymes.  Does your K12 use up lots of O2 under aerobic conditions?  Could one use the
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penicillin technique on some other actively aerobic bacterium--other than B. coli?
I shall be gratified for any advice and suggestions you may have.
Cordially
S. Granick