Jonathan Roger Beckwith (* 25 December 1935 in Cambridge, Massachusetts) is an US-American biochemist, micro biologist and a Genetiker. 1969 succeeded to it as first the isolation of an individual gene, from the hereditary property of Kolibakterien (Escherichia coli).

The laboratory of Jon Beckwith at Institut for microbiology and molecular genetics of the Harvard Medical School in Boston/the USA researches also today still at these bacteria, predominantly over diaphragm proteins, among other things over their role during the cell division.

Career/development

After conclusion of the High School in Newton/Massachusetts (1953) Jon Beckwith chemistry at Harvard University studied and existed there 1961 also the examination to its doctor work in the subject biochemistry. By a scholarship of the US-American Federal Health Office (national institute OF Health, NIH) he came among other things to it to Princeton (new jersey), London, Cambridge (England) as well as to Paris Institut the Pasteur.

1965 turned Beckwith back after Harvard, in Institut for bacteriology and Immunologie of the Harvard Medical School, where he ascended the academic ladder rapidly and as the professor became to appoint 1969. 1980 the Forschungsprofessur of the US-American cancer company were awarded to it and 1984 the membership of the Academy of Science of the USA.

After many other honors and honorary memberships Jon Beckwith was awarded 2005 for its life's work "„of the Abbott Lifetime Achievement Award "“to the US-American society for microbiology. Its correct service designation reads: CAN cerium Society Research professor OF Microbiology and Molecular Genetics RK Harvard Medical School.

Scientific and social commitment

Jon Beckwith informs genetics and researches in the area of the genetics of bacteria, among other things over Genexpression, protein biosynthesis and the transport of proteins by cell membranes, furthermore over the building of cell membranes as well as their transformation during the cell division.

Since 1969 it engaged itself besides in public debates over the social consequences of the genetics, thus in the group "„Science for the People "“and "„gene TIC Screening Study Group "“. This loose union criticized by Harvard researchers among other things the point of view of many Soziobiologen narrowed on the genes as well as the slope of many gene researchers to the genetic Determinismus, which shows up for example in studies over alleged "„genes for criminal behavior "“or is in the statement, men due to their genes in the area of mathematics the women superior.

Furthermore Jon Beckwith belongs to those researchers, who are concerned particularly with the ethical consequences of the human Genom Projects and repeated of a genetic discrimination warned, which could result, if information from gene tests were used for example from health insurances to the disadvantage of the insured ones.

Related links

• Jon Beckwiths homepage in Harvard

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