Kary B. Mullis
Who was Kary B. Mullis?
Nobel laureate: Nobel Prize in Chemistry (1993)
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on Kary B. Mullis (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Kary Banks Mullis (December 28, 1944 – August 7, 2019) was an American biochemist who invented the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique, transforming molecular biology and genetics. Born in Lenoir, North Carolina, Mullis went to Dreher High School, attended Georgia Tech, and earned his doctorate at the University of California, Berkeley. He developed PCR in the 1980s while working at Cetus Corporation, giving scientists a way to quickly amplify specific DNA sequences, which led to many advancements in medical diagnostics, forensic science, and genetic research.
PCR is crucial in molecular biology. It lets researchers produce millions of copies of a specific DNA segment from a small sample, enabling genetic analysis that was once impossible or very hard. This breakthrough won Mullis the 1993 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, shared with Michael Smith. The New York Times called PCR 'highly original and significant, virtually dividing biology into the two epochs of before PCR and after PCR.'
In addition to his scientific success, Mullis received many prestigious awards during his career, including the Canada Gairdner International Award (1991), Robert Koch Prize (1992), Japan Prize (1993), and John Scott Award (1992). He was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 1998 and got the ASHG Lifetime Achievement Award in 1990. In 2010, he received an honorary doctorate from Masaryk University.
Despite his scientific work, Mullis was controversial for his views outside his field. He questioned the scientific consensus on climate change and HIV as the cause of AIDS. He also expressed belief in astrology and paranormal phenomena and admitted to producing LSD. These views led Skeptical Inquirer to mention him as an example of 'Nobel disease,' where Nobel winners make unscientific statements about subjects beyond their expertise. Mullis passed away on August 7, 2019, in Newport Beach, California.
Before Fame
Growing up in North Carolina during the 1950s and 1960s, Mullis experienced a time of rapid progress in molecular biology and genetics. The discovery of DNA's double helix structure by Watson and Crick in 1953 had opened new opportunities in understanding heredity and cellular processes. This period saw molecular biology becoming its own field, with scientists beginning to manipulate genetic material in labs.
Mullis pursued his scientific education during the peak of the Space Race and the molecular biology revolution. After finishing high school at Dreher High School, he attended Georgia Tech, then transferred to the University of California, Berkeley, for graduate studies. Berkeley in the 1960s and 1970s was leading in biochemical research, giving Mullis access to advanced techniques and new methods of studying biological systems that would later influence his groundbreaking work.
Key Achievements
- Invented the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique in 1983
- Won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1993 for PCR development
- Received the Japan Prize in 1993 for contributions to molecular biology
- Inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 1998
- Awarded multiple international scientific honors including the Canada Gairdner International Award and Robert Koch Prize
Did You Know?
- 01.Mullis conceived the idea for PCR while driving on Highway 128 in Northern California in 1983, pulling over to work out the details on paper
- 02.He sold his Nobel Prize medal at auction in 2006 for $455,000 to help fund his business ventures
- 03.Mullis was an avid surfer and incorporated his love of the ocean into his scientific thinking and problem-solving approach
- 04.He wrote an autobiography titled 'Dancing Naked in the Mind Field' published in 1998, detailing his unconventional life and scientific career
- 05.Before developing PCR, Mullis worked on synthesizing oligonucleotides at Cetus Corporation, which provided him with the technical background necessary for his breakthrough
Family & Personal Life
Awards & Honors
| Award | Year | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Nobel Prize in Chemistry | 1993 | for his invention of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method |
| Canada Gairdner International Award | 1991 | — |
| National Inventors Hall of Fame | 1998 | — |
| ASHG Lifetime Achievement Award | 1990 | — |
| Robert Koch Prize | 1992 | — |
| Japan Prize | 1993 | — |
| honorary doctorate of the Masaryk University | 2010 | — |
| John Scott Award | 1992 | — |
| Karl Landsteiner Memorial Award | — | — |