STANFORD UNIVERSITY
STANFORD, CALIFORNIA

DEPARTMENT OF GENETICS pit
School of Medicine i

May 27, 1959

Dear Josh,

Dr. Rickenberg called yesterday to adk whether | would
be interested in going to Seattle ''for a month or so’! regarding
the Lac problem. | told him this depended upon you.

His hypothesis is that the same enzyme is resppnsible for
the two functions, penetration and transglycosidation of lactose.
He is interested in obtaining genetic evidence on this point to
compare with the biochemical data he is accumulating. | am not
too clear what aspect of the genetic analysis would most immediately
interest him, or why Seattle is the preferred site for this
activity. Under the circumstances, the linear arrangement of
permease mutations in relation to B-galactosidase mutations, and
cistronic relationships of the two types would probably be most
pertinent. | think you are aware of the present status of the
work and its attendant défficulties. | am not sure that he is.

He apparently had funds available for the summer, or a portion
thereof. When | told him the summer was allocated he suggested
the fall quarter (or part of it) if funds can be found.

| should have gotten more detailed information regarding
the intended experimental approaches to the problem, but 1
thought it important to get your initial reaction to the proposal

before pursuing the matter further.

Huu