DNA Timeline

Johann Gregor Mendel

Feb 10, 1865

Mendel did research with pea plants and it took him eight years (1856-1863) and he published his results in 1865. It wasn't until 1900, that his experimental results were understood.

Friedrich Miescher

Feb 9, 1869

Miescher moved to Tubingen to work in the laboratory of biochemist Hoppe-Seyler. Leucocytes was his source material, he first researched the proteins in these cells.

Mendel's research is rediscovered

Mar 2, 1900

Mendel's experiments from 1866 are rediscovered A British man named William Bateson soon translates Mendel's paper into English

William Bateson

Mar 9, 1905

The word "genetics" is coined by William Bateson.

Chromosome Theory

Mar 9, 1911

The chromosome theory of heredity is confirmed in studies of fly eye color inheritance by Morgan and colleagues.

Beadle and Tatum

Mar 9, 1941

One gene encodes one protein, as described by Beadle and Tatum.

Lederberg and Tatum

Mar 9, 1946

Genetic material can be transferred laterally between bacterial cells, as shown by Lederberg and Tatum

Chemical Stucture of DNA

Mar 9, 1950

Maurice Wilkins, Rosalind Franklin, Francis H. C. Crick of Britain and James D. Watson of the U.S. discover chemical structure of DNA, starting a new branch of science--molecular biology.

RNA and DNA

Mar 9, 1959

Messenger RNA is the intermediate between DNA and protein.

Genetic Code

May 9, 1966

The Genetic code was discovered scientists were now able to predict characteristics by studying DNA. This lead to genetic engineering and genetic counseling.

Fred Sanger

Mar 9, 1977

DNA sequencing technology is developed by Fred Sanger.

First Crime

May 10, 1980

A team of scientists began the project to map the human genome.
The first crime conviction based on DNA fingerprinting, in Portland Oregon.

Gene therapy

Mar 9, 1990

Gene therapy was used on patients for the first time.

FDA approved

Mar 9, 1994

The FDA approved the first genetically engineered food -- FlavrSavr tomatoes engineered for better flavor and shelf life.

O.J. Simpson

Mar 9, 1995

DNA testing in forensics cases gains fame in the O.J. Simpson trial.

Pat Brown

Mar 9, 1996

DNA microarrays are invented by Pat Brown and colleagues.

Dolly the Sheep

Mar 9, 1997

Dolly the Sheep - the first adult animal clone.

Clinton and Lewinsky

Mar 9, 1998

Senate begins the Clinton/Lewinsky scandal based on DNA evidence.

Craig Ventor and Francis Collins

Mar 9, 2000

Craig Ventor and Francis Collins announce the sequencing of the entire human genome.

Cloning

Mar 9, 2009

Controversies continue over human and animal cloning, research on stem cells, and genetic modification of crops.