Works Cited

"Awards & Honors." The Rockefeller University ». N.p., 2004. Web. 07 Feb. 2013.

"Concept 17A Gene Is Made of DNA." A Gene Is Made of DNA. N.p., 2002. Web. 07 Feb. 2013.

"Definition of Transforming Principle." MedicineNet.com. N.p., 2012. Web. 6 Feb. 2013.

"Online Education Kit: 1944: DNA Is "Transforming Principle"" Online Education Kit: 1944: DNA Is "Transforming Principle" N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Feb. 2013.

"Oswald Theodore Avery (1877-1955)." A Gene Is Made of DNA. N.p., 2002. Web. 5 Feb. 2013.

Oswald Avery's Experiment

          Previous experiments in the 1920's revealed that a harmless strain of bacteria could become harmful by mixing the harmless bacteria with a lethal bacteria that had been already killed. what caused the change though was some kind of gene chemical. Oswald Avery through his experiments concluded that what actually transformed the gene though was in fact DNA,and not some protein that scientists originally thought. Oswald found this out by testing on mice. He first injected the live R bacteria into the mouse and it lived. Then, Oswald injected the second mouse with live S bacteria and the mouse died. Then, he injected just the dead S bacteria and the mouse lived. Finally, Oswald injected the mouse with the dead S bacteria and the live R bacteria. The mouse died concluding that the dead S bacteria had turned the harmless R bacteria into a lethal bacteria. Later, Oswald was able to isolate what caused the gene change which turned out to be DNA.  

What led to Oswald's Career

        To start off, Oswald’s father was a Baptist minister. To help his father, Oswald learned how to play the cornet to attract congregations on Sunday. Oswald became talented enough that he won a scholarship to the National Conservatory of Music. Later, Oswald attended Colgate University and graduated with a B.A. with hardly any science classes. Then, Oswald attended the College of Physicians and Surgeons to study medicine. Oswald preferred studying medicine because he saw it as more satisfying. In 1913, Oswald published his study of the tuberculosis bacterium. The project caught the eye of Dr.Rufus Cole, who was the director of the Rockefeller Institute Hospital. He offered Oswald a job there. At Rockefeller, Oswald discovered the transforming principle, which Oswald is most known for today. 

Affect of Oswald Avery In todays world

Oswald Avery's discoveries has made a huge impact in today's world. Avery discovered that DNA is the material that genes and chromosomes are made up of. His discovery paved way for scientist to find other information about DNA structure and other genetic information. Without the understanding of DNA and genetic makeup, we wouldn't be able to make more discoveries and cure genetic diseases.

About Oswald Avery

Oswald Avery was born on October 21, 1877, in Halifax, Canada. After graduating from Colgate University, he accepted a research position at the Rockefeller Institute Hospital. In 1944, he and his coworkers discovered that DNA carries a cell’s genetic material and can be altered through transformation. He did not receive a Nobel Prize, but his research led to understanding the genetic code. He died on February 20, 1955.
Born: 21-Oct-1877
Birthplace: Halifax, NS, Canada
Died: 20-Feb-1955
Location of death: Nashville, TN
Cause of death: Cancer - Liver
Remains: Buried, Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Nashville, TN

This is a blog for Mrs.Goldner's biology class. In our group is Michael Van Essen, Crystal Petersen, and Sammy Martinez. We are blogging about DNA, and Oswald Avery. I hope you will enjoy!