Bacterial Bumps Reveal Genetic Secrets

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The article traces the history of the Conn family's contributions to bacteriology, from the pioneering work of Herbert William Conn to the discoveries of his son Harold Joel Conn and later generations. It focuses on the Conn family's research into Agrobacterium, a gram-negative bacterium that can manipulate the genetic material of plants, leading to the development of crown gall disease and advancements in genetic engineering.

Why it matters

The Conn family's research into Agrobacterium has had far-reaching implications, from understanding the causes of crown gall disease in plants to enabling the development of genetically modified crops. Their work has transformed the field of bacteriology and paved the way for future breakthroughs in genetic engineering.

The details

Harold Joel Conn, the son of renowned bacteriologist Herbert William Conn, followed in his father's footsteps and became a leading scientist in his own right. One of Conn's achievements was the documentation of the gram-negative genus of bacteria called Agrobacterium, which can transfer its own DNA into the genetic material of host plants, causing them to develop tumor-like growths known as crown gall disease. This ability to manipulate plant genetics has made Agrobacterium an important tool for genetic engineering, leading to the development of herbicide- and pest-resistant crops, as well as improved shelf life of some products.

• In the late 1800s, Harold Joel Conn was born in Connecticut, the son of Fitchburg, Massachusetts bacteriologist Herbert William Conn.
• Herbert William Conn founded and served as president of the Society of American Bacteriologists, and discovered that typhoid fever could be spread by oysters.
• Harold Joel Conn followed in his father's footsteps, becoming a bacteriologist and also serving as president of the society his father had founded.