Citation | White's work has led to the complete pattern of synaptic connectivity of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. He identified the first gene with a demonstrated role in determining synaptic specificity. He studied the role of cell-cell interaction in determining the lineage pattern, stimulating a wide field of research. In more recent work White and his co-workers have partially confirmed his earlier model of cytokinesis; they have discovered genes controlling cytokinesis and found features previously thought specific to plant cell division. Recognising the potentialities of laser-scanning confocal microscopy White built a prototype microscope: with W B Amos he developed this into a commercially-produced instrument now widely used which was distinguished by the Mulland Award of the Royal Society and other awards. |