Little lambda, who made thee?
The study of the bacteriophage lambda has been critical to the discipline of molecular biology. It was the source of key discoveries in the mechanisms of, among other processes, gene regulation, recombination, and transcription initiation and termination. We trace here the events surrounding these findings and draw on the recollections of the participants. We show how a particular atmosphere of interactions among creative scientists yielded spectacular insights into how living things work.
Gottesman
Max E
ME
Institute of Cancer Research, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA. gottesman@cuccfa.ccc.columbia.edu
Weisberg
Robert A
RA
D010582:Bacteriophage lambda / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D004706:Endodeoxyribonucleases / Q000378:metabolism; D049673:History, 20th Century; D039002:Prophages / Q000235:genetics; D054334:Viral Regulatory and Accessory Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D014773:Virology / Q000266:history; D016662:Virus Integration / Q000235:genetics
C059417:N protein, Bacteriophage lambda; D054334:Viral Regulatory and Accessory Proteins; D004706:Endodeoxyribonucleases; C030894:terminase