Charlotte Auerbach
Encyclopedia
Charlotte Auerbach FRSE FRS (14 May 1899 – 17 March 1994) was a German zoologist and geneticist
.
Born in Germany, she fled to Scotland because of anti-Semitism
. She became well known after 1942 when she, with A. J. Clark and J. M. Robson
, discovered that mustard gas could cause mutation
s in fruit flies
. This, and her later work, founded the science of mutagenesis
.
In 1947, she published a book of fairy stories titled Adventures with Rosalind under the pen-name of Charlotte Austen. In 1977, she was awarded The Royal Society Darwin Medal.
Geneticist
A geneticist is a biologist who studies genetics, the science of genes, heredity, and variation of organisms. A geneticist can be employed as a researcher or lecturer. Some geneticists perform experiments and analyze data to interpret the inheritance of skills. A geneticist is also a Consultant or...
.
Born in Germany, she fled to Scotland because of anti-Semitism
Anti-Semitism
Antisemitism is suspicion of, hatred toward, or discrimination against Jews for reasons connected to their Jewish heritage. According to a 2005 U.S...
. She became well known after 1942 when she, with A. J. Clark and J. M. Robson
J. M. Robson
John Michael 'Rab' Rabinovich, later known as J. M. Robson was a geneticist and physicist who co-founded the science of mutagenesis by mutations in fruit flies exposed to mustard gas, and who first observed neutron beta decay.-Biography:...
, discovered that mustard gas could cause mutation
Mutation
In molecular biology and genetics, mutations are changes in a genomic sequence: the DNA sequence of a cell's genome or the DNA or RNA sequence of a virus. They can be defined as sudden and spontaneous changes in the cell. Mutations are caused by radiation, viruses, transposons and mutagenic...
s in fruit flies
Drosophila melanogaster
Drosophila melanogaster is a species of Diptera, or the order of flies, in the family Drosophilidae. The species is known generally as the common fruit fly or vinegar fly. Starting from Charles W...
. This, and her later work, founded the science of mutagenesis
Mutagenesis
Mutagenesis is a process by which the genetic information of an organism is changed in a stable manner, resulting in a mutation. It may occur spontaneously in nature, or as a result of exposure to mutagens. It can also be achieved experimentally using laboratory procedures...
.
In 1947, she published a book of fairy stories titled Adventures with Rosalind under the pen-name of Charlotte Austen. In 1977, she was awarded The Royal Society Darwin Medal.
External links
- Geoffrey Beale, an entry about Charlotte Auerbach, Jewish Women: A Comprehensive Encyclopedia