Famous microbiologist Joshua Lederberg - Research Paper Example

Joshua Lederberg Joshua Lederberg Introduction One of the world famous microbiologists is Joshua Lederberg. Mr. Lederberg wasborn in 1925 in America and passed away in 2008. During his years in the world, he made major contribution in the field of microbiology. He served in America as a molecular biologist and introduced new ideas about microbial genetics. In 1958, when he was 33 years old, he discovered that bacteria have the ability of mating and exchanging gene. Due to the discovery he won an award in physiology or medicine.

The Nobel price made him to be famous and popular and shared the price with George Beadle and Tatum Edward who won because of their genetics work. Lederberg concentrated on artificial intelligence and made major impacts in discovering life in mars. Lederberg is an individual who made major impact in the field of microbiology. Bibliography In 23 May, 1925, Lederberg was born by a Jewish family in the city of Montclair, New Jersey. His mother was known as Esther Goldenbaum and father was Rabbi Zvi Hirsch.

Immediately after his birth, the parents migrated to Manhattan, Washington Heights. Lederberg was born in a family of three. He had other two brothers who were born latter. He was the first born son of the family and helped the parents in home activities (Nobelprize.org, 2011). In 1946 while at Yale University, he got married to Esther M. Zimmer and they did not have children. His wife acquired an M.A from Stanford University and got a PhD degree from University of Wisconsin. She worked as a research associate full time.

They divorced in 1966. He then married Marguerite Stein who was a psychiatrist in 1968 and gave birth to three children (Anne, David and Marguerite) (Nobelprize.org, 2011). Lederberg was successful in education, because he completed all levels of education. He went in different schools in New York. He started by joining public school 46, then went to Junior High school 146, and completed high school studies in Stuyvesant High School. Latter in 1941 to 1944 he joined the Columbia College and studies undergraduate program.

In Columbia College, he acquired a B.A majoring in Zoology. Latter he joined the Columbia University in the department of Medicine and carried out research in Zoology Department. He then went to the Yale University at the Botany and Microbiology Department working as a research fellow. He studied PhD and he completed and graduated in 1948 and Yale University awarded him a PhD degree (Nobelprize.org, 2011). He started his career in 1947 at the University of Wisconsin as a Genetics assistant professor.

In 1950, Lederberg was promoted by the university and was appointed as Associate professor and later in 1954; he was promoted to a university professor. In 1957, he established the department of Medical Genetics and become chairman until 1958. The school of medicine at the Stanford University trusted him with his organization and made him the head of the Genetics department. He was made the executive head and professor of the genetics department in 1959. As from 1962, he was the director and leader of Molecular Medicine Kennedy Laboratories.

He had many responsibilities, because he also worked as a visiting professor at the University of California and Melbourne University of Australia dealing with Bacteriology. In the National Academy of Science in America, he was successfully elected the chairman. He lost his life in 2008 and left three children (Nobelprize.org, 2011). Important Contribution Lederberg had major achievement and contribution to the field of microbiology. He did research on genetics and discovered that bacteria have the ability to mate and acquire new gene.

This discovery made him to be awarded a Nobel price. He was also involved in NASA and expanded the application of biology in NASA by introduction of exobiology. He did research which helped in discovering life in mars. In 1960’s while working in Stanford University, he worked with Edward Feigerbaum and developed DENDRAL. In 1978, he was working as a president in Rockefeller University and published many researches about genetics and biology. The publications help students and people in the field of microbiology.

He also contributed in the scientific world and was awarded National Medal of Science in 1989. Due to his contribution and impact to the field of microbiology, he received three awards (Profile in Science, 2010). Conclusion Joshua Lederberg was a microbiologist who made major contribution on genetics. He received his education from various universities. He did research and made new discoveries on genetic. Due to his commitment and contribution to microbiology field, he was successful in his career and acquired three awards.

References Nobelprize.org (2011). Joshua Lederberg- Biographical. Retrieved 25 April 2011, from http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/medicine/laureates/1958/lederberg-bio.html Nobelproze.org (2011). Joshua Lederberg- Facts. Retrieved 18 March 2011, from http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/medicine/laureates/1958/lederberg-facts.html Profile in Science (2010). The Joshua Lederberg Papers. Retrieved 12 June 2010, from http://profiles.nlm.nih.gov/BB/