Sydney Brenner, a multitalented biological giant who helped decipher the genetic code, discover how its information is put to use and laid the groundwork for DNA sequencing technology, has died at the age of 92.
Brenner’s seven-decade career spanned the globe, and he was active in science until the end. He spent the last part of his life in Singapore, where he advised that country on its biotechnology policy.
Venter said that while the worm research was significant, it was far from his most important contribution to science. Certain three-letter sequences are redundant, spelling out the same amino acid. Scientists at Scripps Research led by Peter Schultz took advantage of that redundancy to engineer bacteria that produce a 21st amino acid, giving it the power to make proteins not found in nature.
The technology was used in a company he co-founded, Lynx Therapeutics, which was acquired in 2005 by Solexa. In 2007, Illumina purchased Solexa, making its next-gen technology the core of its products. The method married DNA with combinatorial chemistry, a way of rapidly making many kinds of molecules in vast quantities. The DNA, added step by step in the synthesis, served as the tag. So when scientists found a rare “hit” in a molecule, they didn’t have to figure out how it was produced.
Born in Germiston, South Africa, in 1927, Brenner earned degrees in medicine and science in 1947 from Johannesburg’s University of Witwatersrand, the Salk Institute said in a biography. Brenner moved to Oxford University in 1952 to pursue his doctorate in physical chemistry.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Sydney Brenner, Nobel Prize-winning microbiologist, dies at 92His research on DNA helped scientists understand the origins of cancer and other diseases.
Read more »
Convicted murderer recaptured in SydneyA convicted murderer who dismembered two of his lovers is on the run in Australia after removing his electronic monitoring anklet
Read more »
Athletics: World champion Pearson makes hurdles return in SydneyWorld high hurdles champion Sally Pearson returned to competition in her pet eve...
Read more »
Convicted murderer who dismembered two of his lovers on the run in SydneyPolice in Sydney are hunting for a double murderer who removed his electronic monitoring anklet while on parole and is now on the run. Damien Peters, 50, pleaded guilty in 2001 to killing and dismembering two men.
Read more »
The rise of the ultra-long-haul flightLightweight aircraft are making it possible to fly from London to Sydney without a break
Read more »
New clues of New Zealand shooter Tarrant's ties to far right groups emergeFrom its clubhouses in Melbourne and Sydney, the Lads Society promotes drug-free...
Read more »
Dutch adventurer finishes three-year electric car journey in AustraliaAs Wiebe Wakker turned off his car in Sydney, Australia on Sunday afternoon it m...
Read more »
Affordable Housing Crisis Spreads Throughout WorldWhen it comes to affordable housing, shortages persist despite millions of dollars invested and hundreds of thousands of units built
Read more »