Alfred Hershey

Alfred Hershey was a scientist best known for his work in understanding how viruses infect bacteria. In the 1950s, he conducted a famous experiment with Martha Chase, using radioactive markers to show that DNA, not protein, is the genetic material that viruses transfer into bacteria to reproduce. This discovery was crucial in confirming DNA as the molecule carrying genetic information, laying the foundation for modern genetics. Hershey’s work helped scientists understand the fundamental nature of heredity and how viruses operate, significantly advancing molecular biology.