McClintock's Lab

McClintock's Lab, led by genetic scientist Barbara McClintock, focused on studying plant genetics, especially maize (corn). She discovered that genes can move within and between chromosomes, creating new genetic variations—a phenomenon called "transposition." Her work revealed that genes are dynamic rather than static, fundamentally changing understanding of heredity. Her pioneering research earned her the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1983. Overall, her lab contributed significantly to our knowledge of gene behavior, providing insights that influence biology, genetics, and agriculture today.