MERCK & CO., ENG.

RAHWAY, NEW JERSEY
RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT DIVISION

June 20, 1952

VIA AIR MAIL

Dre Joshua Lederberg
Department of Genetics
University of Wisconsin
Madison, Wisconsin

Dear Doctor Lederberg:

Thank you for the reprints which you sent cover-
ing recent investigations in your laboratory. The studies
are very stimulating and have developed a great deal of
interest among the Merck personnel. The interest was
shared by many of those attending the recent bacteriology
meetings as I am sure Mre Zinder and Dr- Tatum must have
reported to youe

I recall that during my recent visit at the
University of Wisconsin, you showed me some evidence of
recombination in Streptomyces griseus. At the time, you
stated that experiments to distinguish between recombina-
tion and heterokaryosis were planned. I have been hoping
to learn how these experiments turned out but have not
obtained the details from any of the recent visitors at
the University of Wisconsine

Since the possibility of obtaining recombination
in Streptomyces griseus would affect our research program
considerably, 1. would appreciate very much being brought
up to date on the present studies on this projecte
Dre Gitterman, who came to MERCK & CO-, Inc.- to work on
actinophage problems, would like to undertake some studies

on development of resistant cultures by recombination, if
the process has been established in S- griseus.

Sincerely yours,

, /
NA i ovbond ‘

He Be Woodruff
Assistant Director
HBW:EJS Microbiological Research