Oregon State UniversitySpecial Collections & Archives Research Center

“The Life and Work of Linus Pauling (1901-1994): A Discourse on the Art of Biography.”

February 28 - March 2, 1995

Videos: Session 1: Linus C. Pauling Day Lecture

Introduction of Francis Crick.

Ken Van Holde (Biochemistry and Biophysics, Oregon State University)

6:26 - Transcript Available

Van Holde introduces Francis Crick by touching upon the scientist's pathbreaking accomplishments in molecular biology, including the Watson-Crick determination of the double-helical structure of DNA and Crick's important later research on the properties of RNA. Van Holde also mentions Crick's more recent research on the nature of consciousness, including his interest in the possibility of a molecular basis for cognitive processes.

 

“The Impact of Linus Pauling on Molecular Biology.”

Francis Crick (Salk Institute for Biological Studies)

49:49 - Transcript Available

Crick begins his talk by recounting his personal experiences of first learning about and then meeting Linus Pauling. Crick then expounds upon the profound importance of Pauling's legacy as it relates to the study of molecular biology. In so doing, Crick discusses Pauling's research on the molecular structure of proteins including his discovery of the alpha-helix, his studies on protein denaturation and his participation in "the race" for the structure of DNA. He likewise touches upon Pauling's interest in the nature of antibodies and antigens, his conceptualization of sickle cell anemia as a molecular disease and his development, with Emile Zuckerkandl, of "the molecular clock." Having detailed this impressive body of work, Crick concludes that Pauling was, indeed, "one of the founders of molecular biology."

 

Watch Other Videos

Session 1: Linus C. Pauling Day Lecture

Session 2: The Biographer's Picture of Linus Pauling

Session 3: The Personal View of Linus Pauling and His Work

Session 4: Historians and Contemporary Scientific Biography