Hamilton O. Smith papers, 1950-2012, bulk Bulk, 1965-2005

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Summary

Creators:
Smith, Hamilton O.
Abstract:
Scientific papers of Hamilton O. Smith, microbiologist and Nobel laureate for his discovery of TypeII restriction enzymes and the sequence of its cleavage sites. He is the co-recipient of the 1978 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with Werner Arber and Daniel Nathans for the discovery of “restriction enzymes and their application to problems of molecular genetics”. The papers document Smith’s professional career from his appointment at the University of Michigan and Johns Hopkins University to his most recent position as Scientific Director of Synthetic Biology and Bioenergy at the J. Craig Venter Institute. Materials include correspondence, laboratory and research notes, committee appointments, scientific subject files, photographs, and writings by Smith.
Extent:
17.5 Linear feet (40 manuscript boxes)
Language:
Preferred citation:

Hamilton O. Smith papers (MS 002), J. Craig Venter Institute.

Background

Scope and content:

This archival collection documents the scientific career of noted microbiologist and Nobel Prize winner Hamilton O. Smith from 1962 to the present. The bulk his papers represent his scientific activities from his positions at the University of Michigan Ann Arbor and his three decade long career at Johns Hopkins University (JHU). The papers also contain his early collaborations with J. Craig Venter from the Institute for Genomic Research (TIGR) and his leadership role at the J. Craig Venter Institute (JCVI) from 2002 to the present. The papers largely include correspondence, laboratory and research notes, committee appointments, grant awards and research, publications and work conducted by his postdoctoral students while at JHU, as well as drafts and publications written or coauthored by him. Some materials of note include his work on restriction enzymes and research which led to his 1978 Nobel Prize while at Hopkins. As well as his more recent work with TIGR and JCVI including genome sequencing documentation (including his DNA libraries), the Haemophilus influenzae patent, and correspondence relating to Mycoplasma mycoides JCVI-syn1.0.

The collection is organized by topic and/or material type. The original naming conventions for the folders have been kept when ever possible. The Biographical files include curricula vitae, bibliographies, and information about Smith; the Correspondence includes incoming and outgoing correspondence from various individuals in the scientific community as well as from fans of his work, often correspondents included reprints of their work which can also be found within the correspondence series; Laboratory and research notes include research files, data, photographs, and illustrations on various scientific endeavors; Conference and Committee files include conference presentations and committee appointments; Subject files include documentation on specific scientific subjects as well as grants submitted while at JHU, materials relating to the Nobel Prize, and patent consulting; Johns Hopkins University files include budgets, committee work, postdoctoral students information and reprints, and teaching files; the Institute for Genomic Research and J. Craig Venter Institute TIGR/JCVI files include research, DNA libraries, grant applications, and sequencing projects related to his collaborations and work with TIGR/JCVI; Papers and other works include article drafts, typescripts, and reprints authored and coauthored by Smith; Photographs include images of Smith, the Nobel Prize, and research slides; Writings by others primarily includes reprints and typescript drafts collected or given to Smith by various scientists and postdoctoral students from Johns Hopkins. See scope and content note under each series listing for detailed information regarding organization.

Processing information:

Processed by Chrystal Carpenter, 2013

Arrangement:
This collection is organized into 10 series:
  1. Biographical files, 1979-1995
  2. Correspondence, 1962-1997 (Bulk, 1980-1997)
  3. Laboratory and Research Notes, 1962-1982
  4. Conference and Committees, 1980-2007 (Bulk, 1985-1993)
  5. Subject Files, 1962-1998
  6. Johns Hopkins University Files, 1964-1997
  7. The Institute for Genomic Research / J. Craig Venter Institute Files, 1980-2010
  8. Papers and Other Works, 1967-1997
  9. Photographs, 1964-1995
  10. Writings By Others, 1952-1995
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

It is the responsibility of the user to obtain permission to publish from the owner of the copyright (the institution, the creator of the record, the author or his/her transferees, heirs, legates, or literary executors). The user agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the J. Craig Venter Institute, its officers, employees, and agents from and against all claims made by any person asserting that he or she is an owner of copyright.

Preferred citation:

Hamilton O. Smith papers (MS 002), J. Craig Venter Institute.

Location of this collection:
4120 Capricorn Lane
La Jolla, CA 92037, US
Contact:
(858) 200-1800
Website