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A SHORT HISTORY OF THE INITIAL APPLICATION OF ANTI-5-BRDU TO THE DETECTION AND MEASUREMENT OF S PHASE
Citation:
Leif, R. C., J. H. Stein, AND R M. Zucker. A SHORT HISTORY OF THE INITIAL APPLICATION OF ANTI-5-BRDU TO THE DETECTION AND MEASUREMENT OF S PHASE. , 2004.
Description:
ABSTRACT
Background: The early history of the development of an antibody to 5-BrdU for the detection and quantitation of DNA synthesis is described. The period covered includes the original concept, which employed a polyclonal antibody, through the creation and initial testing of the monoclonal antibody. All events described occurred in Miami Florida.
Methods: The contents of the four papers coauthored by Howard Gratzner and Robert Leif on the polyclonal antibody and the Science paper authored by Howard Gratzner were the primary sources of information. The memories of the authors and others present when the events occurred also served as information sources.
Results: This historical essay gives credit for the work of two deceased individuals: Albert Castro M.D. and Howard Gratzner Ph.D. It describes: 1) the development of a significant technique in cytometry, 2) the roles played by the major individuals, 3) what happened to these individuals and 4) provides some insight into to the real-world process of creating science including the institutional requirements.
Conclusion: The development of useful technology often requires an inventor or creator who is motivated by a specific problem, which may not be directly related to the major end use of the technology and a group of scientists each with talents that complemented those of the others. It is possible to do science at institutions that are not considered elite scientific research centers.