Kary Mullis

Kary Mullis
Dona Mapston · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Name	Kary Mullis
Birth date	December 28, 1944
Birth place	Lenoir, North Carolina
Death date	August 7, 2019
Death place	Newport Beach, California
Nationality	American
Fields	Molecular biology, Biochemistry

Kary Mullis was a renowned American biochemist and molecular biologist who made significant contributions to the field of molecular biology, particularly in the development of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. His work had a profound impact on various fields, including genetics, forensic science, and medicine, and he collaborated with prominent scientists such as Frederick Sanger and James Watson. Mullis's innovative approach to DNA amplification revolutionized the field of genomics and paved the way for major breakthroughs in biotechnology and pharmaceutical research, involving companies like Genentech and Amgen. His contributions also influenced the work of other notable scientists, including David Baltimore and Michael Bishop.

● Early Life and Education

Kary Mullis was born in Lenoir, North Carolina, and grew up in Columbia, South Carolina, where he developed an interest in chemistry and physics. He attended Georgia Institute of Technology and later enrolled in the University of California, Berkeley, where he earned his Ph.D. in biochemistry under the supervision of Joe Neilands and Gobind Khorana. During his graduate studies, Mullis was exposed to the work of prominent scientists such as Linus Pauling and Francis Crick, which had a significant impact on his research interests. He also interacted with other notable researchers, including Marshall Nirenberg and Har Gobind Khorana, at institutions like the National Institutes of Health.

● Career

Mullis began his career as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Kansas, where he worked with Catherine Mathews and Pedro Cuatrecasas. He later joined Cetus Corporation, a biotechnology company in Emeryville, California, where he developed the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. Mullis's work at Cetus Corporation was influenced by the research of scientists such as H. Gobind Khorana and Walter Gilbert, and he collaborated with other notable researchers, including Ronald Davis and David Botstein, at institutions like Stanford University and University of California, San Francisco. His innovative approach to DNA amplification led to the development of new technologies and techniques, including DNA sequencing and gene cloning, which were further advanced by scientists like Leroy Hood and Stephen Quake.

● Polymerase Chain Reaction

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique, developed by Mullis, is a method of amplifying DNA sequences in vitro. This technique has revolutionized the field of molecular biology and has numerous applications in genetics, forensic science, and medicine. The PCR technique is widely used in laboratories around the world, including those at Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and University of Oxford, and has been instrumental in the development of new technologies and techniques, such as real-time PCR and digital PCR, which were further advanced by scientists like Russell Higuchi and David Rittenberg. The impact of PCR on the field of genomics has been significant, enabling researchers to study genetic variation and gene expression in greater detail, and has led to major breakthroughs in biotechnology and pharmaceutical research, involving companies like Illumina and Thermo Fisher Scientific.

● Awards and Honors

Mullis received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to molecular biology, including the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1993, which he shared with Michael Smith. He also received the Japan Prize in 1993 and the Thomas A. Edison Award in 1993. Mullis was elected as a member of the National Academy of Sciences and the Institute of Medicine, and he received honorary degrees from institutions like University of Chicago and Yale University. His work has been recognized by prominent organizations, including the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the National Science Foundation, and he has been awarded honors like the National Medal of Science and the Lasker Award.

● Personal Life and Death

Mullis was known for his unconventional approach to science and his interest in astrology and paranormal phenomena. He was also an avid surfer and pilot. Mullis passed away on August 7, 2019, at the age of 74, in Newport Beach, California. His legacy continues to inspire new generations of scientists, including those at California Institute of Technology and University of California, Los Angeles, and his contributions to the field of molecular biology remain unparalleled. Mullis's work has had a lasting impact on the scientific community, and his innovative approach to DNA amplification continues to influence research in genetics, forensic science, and medicine, involving institutions like National Institutes of Health and World Health Organization.

● Scientific Contributions

Mullis's scientific contributions have had a profound impact on the field of molecular biology. His development of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique has enabled researchers to amplify DNA sequences in vitro, revolutionizing the field of genetics and genomics. Mullis's work has also had significant implications for forensic science and medicine, enabling the development of new technologies and techniques for DNA analysis and gene therapy. His contributions have been recognized by prominent scientists, including James Watson and Francis Crick, and have paved the way for major breakthroughs in biotechnology and pharmaceutical research, involving companies like Pfizer and Merck & Co.. Mullis's legacy continues to inspire new generations of scientists, and his innovative approach to DNA amplification remains a cornerstone of modern molecular biology research, with applications in fields like cancer research and infectious disease diagnosis, involving institutions like Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.