Hershey and Chase were scientists who conducted experiments in 1952 that demonstrated DNA, not protein, is the genetic material of viruses. They used bacteriophages and radioactive labeling to confirm this conclusion.
5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test
Hershey and Chase used radioactive sulfur (35S) to label protein coats of phages.
They used radioactive phosphorus (32P) to label DNA in their experiments.
Their experiment involved infecting E. coli bacteria with labeled bacteriophages.
After infection, they separated the viral protein coats from the bacterial cells using a blender.
The results showed that only DNA entered the bacterial cells, proving it was the genetic material.