Letsinger RobertL

American biochemist and professor of chemistry at Northwestern University, best known for his research and development of chemical synthesis of DNA. In the 1960s, Letsinger developed methods for solid phase synthesis of oligonucleotides, including the phosphoric triester method and the phosphoramidite synthesis. He thus laid the foundations for efficient automated synthesis of gene fragments and thus the rapid development of molecular biology. Letsingers later dealt with nanotechnology and its application in DNA diagnostics. In 2000, Letsinger was one of the founders of the biotechnology company Nanosphere Inc. He died on 26 May 2014, aged 92. Link to Wikipedia biography Read less