Important Moments in Biology

Isolation of DNA

Jan 1, 1869

Johann Meisher isolated DNA from the nuclei of white blood cells

Gene Modification

Feb 1, 1905

William Bateson and Reginal Crudell Punnett demonstrated actions of some genes modify action of other genes: the first time gene regulation was demonstrated

Theory of the Gene

Mar 1, 1926

Thomas Hunt Morgan published the "theory of the gene" based on Mendelian genetics

Electrophesis

Apr 1, 1933

A new technique for separating proteins in solution was invented, which is called 'electrophoresis

Tobacco Mosaic Virus

May 1, 1937

Frederick Charles Bawden discovered tobacco mosaic virus RNA

Jumping Genes

Jun 1, 1944

Barbara McClintock reported transposable elements: "jumping genes"

New Model for DNA

Jul 1, 1953

James Watson and Francis Crick proposed the double-stranded, helical, complementary, anti-parallel model for DNA

First Arabidopsis Newsletter was Published

Sep 19, 1964

First Arabidopsis newsletter, the Arabidopsis Information Service, was published

PCR

Sep 19, 1980

Kary Mullis invented the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), a method for multiplying DNA sequences in vitro

First Genetic Modified Plant

Sep 19, 1983

First genetic modifed plant is created; a tobacco plant resistant to an antibiotic

Human Genome

Sep 19, 2002

Presentation of human genome by Celera Genomics and the collaborating group of laboratories supported by public foundation

2010 Project

Sep 20, 2010

Completion of the 2010 Project: the understanding the function of all genes within their cellular, organismal and evolutionary context of Arabidopsis thaliana