Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a
cornerstone technology of modern biomedical science. Essentially,
genomic DNA and RNA science advances that have been occurring for the
past 25 years began with PCR. No other biotech invention so far compares to PCR's impact on science. PCR is so ubiquitous
nowadays in both experimental or clinical labs that it is seen
as just another "method".
However, when we
talk about methods we rarely think about who invents them or what it
takes to invent them.
How many people have heard about Cetus?
It is very likely that the vast majority of people using PCR today
have no idea about Cetus.
The short book by Paul Rabinow
titled "Making PCR" is a really wonderful "live"
account of Cetus and the people there who invented PCR. Cetus was a
biotech company even before Genentech. Kary Mullis was a Cetus
employee when he conceptualized and did initial PCR validation
experiments.
For his role in PCR invention Kary Mullis
was awarded Nobel prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1993, the first
ever Nobel prize awarded to a work done at biotech.
Curiously,
this is how Kary Mullis is described in the book "at almost
every scientific retreat [he would propose] a number of wild ideas,
some of which were flatly wrong because he wasn't really familiar
with some of the most basic aspects of molecular biology. And also
because he was abrasive and combative and often times his comments
would be counterproductive in meetings where people have to try and
work together. Mullis had a grudge against his critics and they had a
grudge against him".
At some point Cetus management
seriously considering "firing Mullis outright". It is
obvious, today's workplace would reject Kary Mullis-type of
personality.
In the end, Cetus disappeared, Kary Mullis
became outcast but PCR stayed and transformed science and medicine.
David Usharauli
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