| Citation | Paul Berg has been for a quarter of a century a leader in the molecular biology of nucleic acids. He is the first investigator to construct a recombinant DNA molecule, thus starting the new technology of genetic engineering. His work with nucleic acids began with important contributions to the mechanism of gene expression in bacteria. He studied the interaction of aminoacyl transferases with tRNAs and was one of the discoverers of RNA polymerase. Later he became interested in tumor viruses. Working with SV40, he developed the study of gene expression in higher organisms. For this purpose he conceived the idea of introducing eukaryotic genes into bacteriopahge lambda to build a suitable experimental system. Taking advantage of the recently discovered restriction endonucleases, he fused the lambda and the SV40 genomes, the first time that such interspecies fusion was made. This ultimately led to the technology of DNA recombination in which Paul Berg continued to play a leading role, by generation of new sophisticated methodology. He contributed the use of SV40 functional units in the construction of cloning vectors, and constructed the first vector with a selective gene for aiding in the isolation of recombinants. These two developments have had wide applications. He also contributed the two technologies of nick translation and nitrocellulose binding, both of which are universally used. In 1980 he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry.
In addition to his imaginative approach to the solution of scientific problems, Paul Berg has been equally imaginative, as well as responsible, in facing the ethical problems of the new technology. He immediately accepted the criticism levelled at the use of the early lambda-SV40 recombinants, and led his colleagues in calling for a moratorium on recombination DNA research until the risks could be assessed. He became a spokesman for those who were worried by risks but, in contrast to many others who became polarized in either direction, he kept the problems in proper focus, contributing greatly to their ultimate solution. |