Sir alec jeffreys biography definition


Sir Alec John Jeffreys

1950-

British Geneticist

Sir Alec John Jeffreys developed neat ground-breaking new technique to ascertain different genetic patterns found counter each individual person, except same twins. He coined the reputation DNA fingerprinting, and his approach revolutionized criminal investigations by sanctioning forensic scientists to identify suspects based on scant DNA authenticate found in blood, tissue, refuse body fluids.

Jeffreys was born crest January 9, 1950, in City, England.

When he was concentration years old his father, Poet Victor Jeffreys, a designer near engineer in the car trade, gave him a microscope sit chemistry set. He became bemused on both biology and alchemy, and found the two subjects fit together in biochemistry. Come by 1975 Jeffreys received a Ph.D. in human genetics from nobleness University of Oxford and went to Amsterdam to work slit a project.

While in Amsterdam, an interesting question occurred smash into him: If genes can excellence detected in DNA, can inherent differences among people be perceived in their genes? When that was later found to subsist possible, a new area wheedle molecular genetics research was unbolt up.

Finding how bits of individual DNA are different came without warning while working on another plan concerning genes and the overall of evolution.

Jeffreys noted interpretation same genetic sequences are frequent over and over, an act he called "stuttered DNA." To are different numbers of stutters between people. These stutters distressing variable numbers of tandem stockpile reiterations (VNTRs) he found could pull up cut with restriction enzymes deliver then separated into fragments impervious to a process called polyacrylamide deepen electrophoresis, or PAGE.

The occasion uses agarose gel, a jelly-like material, in a device renounce creates an electrical field. Description groups migrate according to extent, creating a pattern that represents a distinct DNA fingerprint. Prestige procedure is also called condition fragment length polymorphism analysis (RFLP).

Jeffreys realized its potential for solution problems of identification.

His be in first place opportunity to use DNA fingerprinting occurred in March 1985, while in the manner tha he proved a boy was the son of a Brits citizen, allowing him to compose the country.

The first case exhaustive human DNA used in depravity detection occurred the next origin. A teenage girl was pillaged and strangled in a close by near Jeffreys's laboratory in City.

Body fluids were recovered, nevertheless no suspect was found. Team a few years later it happened afresh. Another teenage girl was stifled in the same way bring in the first. A 19-year-old caterer confessed to the second assassination but not to the premier. However, the DNA evidence foreign both murders was the unchanging.

The man had falsely common to the murder of loftiness second girl. The DNA attempt did eventually reveal the aggressive killer when blood samples proud 4582 village men were taken.

DNA evidence was first used bundle an American court to crticize Tommy Lee Andrews of out Florida rape. The use use your indicators DNA evidence in criminal investigations soon spread worldwide.

In 1988 Kary Mullis (1944- ) discovered polymerase chain reaction (PCR), a method that allows small amounts worldly DNA to be copied slipup amplified in test tubes.

Enclose 1990 Jeffreys used DNA study, with the help of PCR, to identify the skeletal relic of Joseph Mengele, the atrocious Nazi doctor who performed gawky experiments on Jewish prisoners mix with Auschwitz.

The technique developed by Jeffreys has been refined to understand small sequences called short cycle repeats (STRs). One of probity most famous cases involving depiction use of DNA was position O.J.

Simpson investigation in 1995. Jeffreys's work has provided fact list important tool for solving crimes.

Jeffreys teaches human genetics at character University of Leicester and has shifted his research focus become the study of DNA mutations from one generation to distinction next. He is especially feeling in the effects of sphere on DNA, including the ethnic consequences of the Russian nuclearpowered power plant accident in Chernobyl.

In 1994 Jeffreys was knighted from end to end of the Queen for his proof in genetics and his gift to the field of authorized DNA.

He has received relocation 30 honors and prizes staging his work.

EVELYN B. KELLY

Science see Its Times: Understanding the Societal companionable Significance of Scientific Discovery