Boyer

Definition

Herbert Boyer is an American biochemist who co-founded Genentech, the first company to apply genetic engineering techniques for commercial purposes. He is renowned for his pioneering work in recombinant DNA technology.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Herbert Boyer, along with Stanley Cohen, developed a method to clone DNA using plasmids in bacteria.
2. Boyer's work led to the production of synthetic insulin, one of the first major successes of genetic engineering.
3. He co-founded Genentech in 1976, which became a leader in biotechnology and pharmaceutical innovation.
4. Boyer and Cohen's experiments demonstrated that genes from different species can be recombined and expressed in bacteria.
5. Their research laid the foundation for modern genetic engineering techniques used in various fields including medicine and agriculture.

Review Questions

• What significant contribution did Herbert Boyer make to the field of genetic engineering?
• How did Boyer's work contribute to the development of synthetic insulin?
• What was the primary significance of Boyer and Cohen's experiments with recombinant DNA?

Related terms

Recombinant DNA: A form of artificial DNA that is created by combining two or more sequences that would not normally occur together.

Genentech: A biotechnology company co-founded by Herbert Boyer that specializes in using recombinant DNA technology for medical applications.

Plasmid: A small, circular piece of DNA found in bacteria that can replicate independently and is often used as a vector in genetic engineering.