Kary B. Mullis

Kary B. Mullis - Scientists, Life Achievements and Childhood

Violet FieldHome › AmericanKary B. MullisDecember 28, 1944354 views

0 based on 0 rates
Kary B. Mullis Biography Stories 

Kary B. Mullis's Personal Details

Kary B

InformationDetail
BirthdayDecember 28, 1944
NationalityAmerican
FamousScientists, Biochemists
SpousesNancy Cosgrove Mullis
Known asKary Banks Mullis
Birth PlaceLenoir, North Carolina, United States
GenderMale
Sun SignCapricorn
Born inLenoir, North Carolina, United States
Famous asBiochemist

// Famous Biochemists

Robert Huber

Robert Huber

Robert Huber is a German biochemist and Nobel Laureate. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, life, achievements, works & timeline.

Charles Best

Charles Best

Charles Best was a great scientist and a renowned physiologist who is remembered for being the co-discoverer of insulin. Read this biography to learn about his profile, childhood, life and timeline.

Isaac Asimov

Isaac Asimov

Isaac Asimov was an American professor of biochemistry and a renowned author of science fiction and popular science books. Read this biography to know more about his life.

Kary B. Mullis's photo

Who is Kary B. Mullis?

Kary B. Mullis is an American biochemist, author, and lecturer who won a share of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1993 for his role in the improvement of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. He was also awarded the Japan Prize the same year. His contribution to the PCR technique helped to make the technique a central one in biochemistry and molecular biology. An outspoken individual, he has invited much criticism for his defense of AIDS denialism and climate change denial, and his unorthodox views on social sciences. Born into a family with a farming background, he was raised in a rural area and grew up observing the farm animals and other organisms. He became interested in chemistry as a young boy and proceeded to earn a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in chemistry from the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta. After getting his PhD degree in biochemistry from the University of California, Berkeley, he became a postdoctoral fellow in pediatric cardiology at the University of Kansas Medical School and then completed two years of postdoctoral work in pharmaceutical chemistry at the University of California, San Francisco. He tried his hands at different occupations before joining Cetus Corporation in California as a DNA chemist. It was here that he performed his breakthrough work that led to his improvement of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique.

// Famous Scientists

Juliane Koepcke

Juliane Koepcke

Juliane Koepcke is a German-Peruvian biologist, who was the lone survivor among the 92 passengers and crew of the ill-fated LANSA Flight 508 that crashed in the Peruvian rainforest on 24 December 1971. Know more about her life in this biography.

Henry Cavendish

Henry Cavendish

Henry Cavendish was a theoretical chemist and physicist, renowned for discovery of hydrogen and calculation of the mass of earth. To know more about his childhood, profile, timeline and career read on

Konstantin Tsiolkovsky

Konstantin Tsiolkovsky

Konstantin Tsiolkovsky was a Russian rocket scientist and a pioneer of astronautics. This biography provides detailed information about his childhood, family, personal life, career, achievements, etc.

Childhood & Early Life

Kary Banks Mullis was born on December 28, 1944, in Lenoir, North Carolina, to Cecil Banks Mullis and Bernice Alberta Barker. Theirs was a loving family and he grew up to be very close to his grandparents. His family had a farming background and he liked to observe the farm animals and other living organisms.

He attended Dreher High School where he developed an interest in chemistry. Later on he went to the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta from where he earned a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in chemistry in 1966. Married for the first time by now, he also started a business.

He then proceeded to the University of California, Berkeley, for his graduate work and performed research work in J. B. Neilands' laboratory where he focused on synthesis and structure of bacterial iron transporter molecules. He completed his PhD in 1972 and lectured in biochemistry there until 1973.

Career

Kary B. Mullis then became a postdoctoral fellow in pediatric cardiology at the University of Kansas Medical School where he focused on the areas of angiotensin and pulmonary vascular physiology. In 1977, he began two years of postdoctoral work in pharmaceutical chemistry at the University of California, San Francisco.

In between, he gave a thought to abandoning his career in science and managed a bakery for two years. His friend Thomas White, however, encouraged him to return to science.

In 1979 he joined the biotechnology company Cetus Corporation of Emeryville, California, as a DNA chemist. It was there that he began his seminal work on oligonucleotide synthesis that led to his improvements to the polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

During that time, the available methods for obtaining a specific sequence of DNA in quantities sufficient for study were not only very difficult, but also time-consuming and expensive. In 1983, Mullis developed his method of PCR by making improvements to the previously known methods.

His technique which multiplies a single, microscopic strand of the genetic material billions of times within hours is of high significance to the scientific fraternity and is considered one of the biggest scientific techniques of the 20th century. The PCR process has multiple applications in medicine, genetics, biotechnology, and forensics.

From 1986 to 1988 he was director of molecular biology for Xytronyx Inc. in San Diego where his work was concentrated in DNA technology and photochemistry. Around this time he also began consulting on nucleic acid chemistry for more than a dozen corporations, including Angenics, Cytometrics, Eastman Kodak, Abbott Labs, Milligen/Biosearch, and Specialty Laboratories.

In 1992, he founded a business with the intent of selling pieces of jewelry containing the amplified DNA of deceased celebrities like Elvis Presley and Marilyn Monroe.

Mullis serves on the board of scientific advisors of several companies, provides expert advice in legal matters involving DNA, and is also a member of the USA Science and Engineering Festival's Advisory Board. He also lectures frequently at college campuses and academic meetings around the world.

Major Works

Kary B. Mullis is known for the development of polymerase chain reaction (PCR), a technique used in molecular biology to amplify a single copy or a few copies of a piece of DNA across several orders of magnitude. This is a very important technique used in medical and biological research labs for a variety of applications.

Awards & Achievements

Prior to winning the Nobel Prize, he had been honored with William Allan Memorial Award of the American Society of Human Genetics (1990), the Preis Biochemische Analytik of the German Society of Clinical Chemistry and Boehringer Mannheim (1990) and California Scientist of the Year Award (1992).

Kary B. Mullis was awarded one-half of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 1993 "for his invention of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method" and the other half went to Michael Smith "for his fundamental contributions to the establishment of oligonucleotide-based, site-directed mutagenesis and its development for protein studies."

In 1993 he was also presented with the Japan Prize for the development of the polymerase chain reaction.

Personal Life & Legacy

Kary B. Mullis has been married four times and has three children. He is currently married to Nancy Cosgrove.

He enjoys writing and surfing.

// Famous Capricorn Celebrities peoples

Weston Koury

Weston Koury

All about American social media star Weston Koury, including his age, family life, girlfriends, birthday, and some fun facts.

Elin Nordegren

Elin Nordegren

Elin Nordegren is the ex-wife of Tiger Woods. Check out this biography to know about her childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about her life.

ItsJustNick

ItsJustNick

ItsJustNick is a Canadian YouTube star & social media personality. Let’s take a look at his family and personal life including age, date of birth, net worth, girlfriends, and fun facts.

Kary B. Mullis's awards

YearNameAward

Other

1991John Scott Legacy Medal and Premium
1992Robert Koch Prize
1990William Allan Award
01993 - Nobel Prize in Chemistry
0 Japan Prize
0 1991 - Gairdner Foundation International Award

Kary B. Mullis biography timelines

  • // 28th Dec 1944
    Kary Banks Mullis was born on December 28, 1944, in Lenoir, North Carolina, to Cecil Banks Mullis and Bernice Alberta Barker. Theirs was a loving family and he grew up to be very close to his grandparents. His family had a farming background and he liked to observe the farm animals and other living organisms.
  • // 1966
    He attended Dreher High School where he developed an interest in chemistry. Later on he went to the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta from where he earned a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in chemistry in 1966. Married for the first time by now, he also started a business.
  • // 1972 To 1973
    He then proceeded to the University of California, Berkeley, for his graduate work and performed research work in J. B. Neilands' laboratory where he focused on synthesis and structure of bacterial iron transporter molecules. He completed his PhD in 1972 and lectured in biochemistry there until 1973.
  • // 1977
    Kary B. Mullis then became a postdoctoral fellow in pediatric cardiology at the University of Kansas Medical School where he focused on the areas of angiotensin and pulmonary vascular physiology. In 1977, he began two years of postdoctoral work in pharmaceutical chemistry at the University of California, San Francisco.
  • // 1979
    In 1979 he joined the biotechnology company Cetus Corporation of Emeryville, California, as a DNA chemist. It was there that he began his seminal work on oligonucleotide synthesis that led to his improvements to the polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
  • // 1983
    During that time, the available methods for obtaining a specific sequence of DNA in quantities sufficient for study were not only very difficult, but also time-consuming and expensive. In 1983, Mullis developed his method of PCR by making improvements to the previously known methods.
  • // 1986 To 1988
    From 1986 to 1988 he was director of molecular biology for Xytronyx Inc. in San Diego where his work was concentrated in DNA technology and photochemistry. Around this time he also began consulting on nucleic acid chemistry for more than a dozen corporations, including Angenics, Cytometrics, Eastman Kodak, Abbott Labs, Milligen/Biosearch, and Specialty Laboratories.
  • // 1992
    In 1992, he founded a business with the intent of selling pieces of jewelry containing the amplified DNA of deceased celebrities like Elvis Presley and Marilyn Monroe.
  • // 1993
    Kary B. Mullis was awarded one-half of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 1993 "for his invention of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method" and the other half went to Michael Smith "for his fundamental contributions to the establishment of oligonucleotide-based, site-directed mutagenesis and its development for protein studies."
  • // 1993
    In 1993 he was also presented with the Japan Prize for the development of the polymerase chain reaction.

// Famous American peoples

Wentworth Miller

Wentworth Miller

Wentworth Miller is an American actor and screenwriter who achieved recognition for his role in the TV series ‘Prison Break’.

Jason Simpson

Jason Simpson

Jason Simpson is the son of former NFL running back, broadcaster and actor O. J. Simpson. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, family, life, and little known facts about him.

Melissa Brim

Melissa Brim

Melissa Brim is the ex-girlfriend of former professional boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. Check out this biography to know about her birthday, childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about her.

Skai Jackson

Skai Jackson

Skai Jackson is an American child actress with huge fan following. Find more about her family & personal life, relationships, facts and more.

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer is a Christian author and speaker. This biography provides detailed information about her childhood, life, achievements, works & timeline

Zoe LaVerne

Zoe LaVerne

Zoe LaVerne is an American musical.ly star. Check out this biography to know more about her family, personal life, including her age, birthday, etc.

Kary B. Mullis's FAQ

  • What is Kary B. Mullis birthday?

    Kary B. Mullis was born at 1944-12-28

  • Where is Kary B. Mullis's birth place?

    Kary B. Mullis was born in Lenoir, North Carolina, United States

  • What is Kary B. Mullis nationalities?

    Kary B. Mullis's nationalities is American

  • Who is Kary B. Mullis spouses?

    Kary B. Mullis's spouses is Nancy Cosgrove Mullis

  • What is Kary B. Mullis's sun sign?

    Kary B. Mullis is Capricorn

  • How famous is Kary B. Mullis?

    Kary B. Mullis is famouse as Biochemist