John Cairns (biochemist)
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John Cairns (born 1922) is a British biochemist known for his significant contributions to molecular biology. He is particularly recognized for his work on DNA replication and the cell cycle.
Early Life and Education[edit | edit source]
John Cairns was born in Oxford, England. He attended Oxford University, where he studied medicine and later specialized in biochemistry. Cairns completed his medical degree in 1947 and subsequently earned a PhD in biochemistry.
Career and Research[edit | edit source]
Cairns began his research career at the Medical Research Council (MRC) in the United Kingdom. He later moved to the United States, where he worked at the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
DNA Replication[edit | edit source]
One of Cairns' most notable contributions was his work on DNA replication. In 1963, he published a landmark paper in which he used autoradiography to visualize the replication of Escherichia coli (E. coli) DNA. This work provided crucial evidence for the semi-conservative replication model of DNA, which had been proposed by James Watson and Francis Crick.
The Cairns Model[edit | edit source]
Cairns is also known for the "Cairns model" of DNA replication, which describes the theta structure observed in circular DNA molecules during replication. This model has been fundamental in understanding the mechanics of DNA replication in prokaryotes.
Later Work[edit | edit source]
In his later career, Cairns focused on the cell cycle and cancer research. He has published numerous papers on the regulation of the cell cycle and the genetic basis of cancer.
Awards and Honors[edit | edit source]
John Cairns has received several prestigious awards for his contributions to science, including the Royal Society's Royal Medal and the Albert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research.
Personal Life[edit | edit source]
Cairns is married and has three children. He continues to be active in the scientific community, contributing to various research projects and mentoring young scientists.
Related Pages[edit | edit source]
- DNA replication
- Cell cycle
- Semi-conservative replication
- James Watson
- Francis Crick
- Escherichia coli
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
- National Institutes of Health
- Medical Research Council
References[edit | edit source]
External Links[edit | edit source]
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