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Friedrich Miescher
- Isolated “nuclein” (DNA with associated proteins) from cell nuclei
- First to identify DNA as distinct molecule
- Focusing on tissue chemistry and studying composition of lymphoid cells (white blood cells)
- Collected bandages covered with pus, then washed in a salt solution = cells lysed and nuclei precipitated out
- Thought nuclein functioned as cellular storehouse for phosphorus atom
- Laid ground work for molecular discoveries
