Novem r 26, 1956

Air Uail

The Yircetor '

National Collection of Industrial Jacteria
Chemical Research Laboratory

Teddington

Niddlesex, ¢s.CLAND

Dear Sirs

Professor Tatum has referred your letter of November ‘th

reference W5G/456/30/7 to me for reply.

I am rather doubtful that the K,12 strain of E, coli as
such is particularly appropriate for the determin tion of

’ gluconic acidg more probably some specific mutant is in

question, If you can furnish re with a reference for the

‘technique, I will endeavor to investigate and meet your request.

If it is indeed the wild type K,12 strain that you have
in mind, I suggest that you can readily obtain it locally
from Dr, William Hayes at the Post Graduate Medical School,
Ducane Road, London, I would appreciate knowing the outcome
of this inquiry.

Yours sincerely,

t

Joshua Lederberg
Professor of Genetics

JLtnkn