Allan Maxam
Allan Maxam (born October 28, 1942) is one of the pioneers of molecular genetics. He was one of the contributors to develop a DNA sequencing method at Harvard University, while working as a student in the laboratory of Walter Gilbert.[1][2]
Allan Maxam | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 28, 1942 (age 77) |
| Known for | Maxam–Gilbert sequencing |
| Scientific career | |
| Doctoral advisor | Walter Gilbert |
Walter Gilbert and Allan Maxam developed a DNA sequencing method - now called Maxam-Gilbert sequencing - which combined chemicals that cut DNA only at specific bases with radioactive labeling and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to determine the sequence of long DNA segments.[3]
Allan Maxam and Walter Gilbert’s 1977 paper “A new method for sequencing DNA” was honored by a Citation for Chemical Breakthrough Award from the Division of History of Chemistry of the American Chemical Society for 2017. It was presented to the Department of Molecular & Cellular Biology, Harvard University.[4][1]
References
- Maxam, A M; Gilbert, W (1977), "A new method for sequencing DNA.", Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. (published Feb 1977), 74 (2), pp. 560–4, doi:10.1073/pnas.74.2.560, PMC 392330, PMID 265521
- DNA SEQUENCING AND GENE STRUCTURE, Walter Gilbert Nobel lecture, 8 December, 1980
- Maxam AM, Gilbert W, Sequencing end-labeled DNA with base-specific chemical cleavages, Methods Enzymol. 1980;65(1):499-560
- "Citations for Chemical Breakthrough Awards 2017 Awardees". Division of the History of Chemistry. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
- Gilbert, Walter and Maxam. Allan, The Nucleotide Sequence of the Lac Operator, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 70, 3581-3584 (1973).
- Maxam AM, Tizard R, Skryabin KG, Gilbert W, Promoter region for yeast 5S ribosomal RNA, Nature. 1977 June 16;267(5612):643-5