What Did Meselson and Stahl Do

Meselson and Stahl incorporated non-radioactive isotopes of nitrogen with different weights into the DNA of E. coli. As DNA contains a large amount of nitrogen, so long as the bacteria grew in a medium containing nitrogen of a specified isotope, the bacteria would use that nitrogen to build DNA.

What experiment did Meselson and Stahl do?

Conclusion. The experiment done by Meselson and Stahl demonstrated that DNA replicated semi-conservatively, meaning that each strand in a DNA molecule serves as a template for synthesis of a new, complementary strand.

Did Meselson and Stahl win a Nobel Prize?

“Awards like his are long overdue.” Many past Lasker winners—though typically those in other categories—have gone on to win the Nobel Prize. Meselson, 74, is best known for the 1958 Meselson-Stahl experiment, taught in biology classes around the world.

James H. Sterling

James H. Sterling

Environmental Science & Climate Journalist

James Sterling reports on renewable energy developments, climate policy, ecological conservation, and green tech innovations around the globe.

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