Howard M. Temin
American Cancer Society University of Wisconsin
For contributions to the biology of RNA-containing cancer viruses and elucidation of the mode of action of viral genes.
Dr. Temin's research from 1961 to the present has illuminated the mechanism by which a cell acquires new and permanent genetic traits following infection with these viruses.
His ingenious experiments have analyzed the contributions of cellular and viral functions during infection, and in particular have demonstrated the existence and operation of a novel viral enzyme—RNA-dependent DNA polymerase (reverse transcriptase)—which is contained within the virus particle and which can mediate the synthesis of a DNA copy of the viral RNA genetic molecules.
For Dr. Temin's work, which has profoundly influenced RNA-DNA research since the time of his discovery, this 1974 Albert Lasker Basic Medical Research Award is given.
