Papers of Bruno Zimm, inventor, educator, and polymer DNA scientist. Professor of chemistry and biochemistry at University of California, San Diego, from 1960 to 1991 and professor emeritus after his retirement in 1991. Zimm is known for his work on understanding the fundamental physical and chemical properties of DNA. His theoretical models helped discover how to measure the size of DNA molecules and their propensity. The papers include numerous scientific articles published in polymer science and biophysical chemistry journals and extensive collection of research influenced subject files. The materials also document his early scientific career with General Electric Company, grant project investigations, and teaching materials in the Department of Chemistry, which he helped establish in 1960. Additionally the papers include correspondence, laboratory research notebooks, and biographical materials.

Born in Woodstock, New York, on October 31, 1920, Bruno Hasbrouck Zimm grew up in an artistic household with his father, a sculptor and his mother, a writer. His education began at Columbia University, where he earned a bachelor's degree of science in 1941, followed by a master's in 1943, and a Ph.D. in 1944, the latter was under the direction of theoretical chemical physicist, Joseph Mayer, with Zimm's thesis on the vapor pressures of alkali halides and lattice energies. Toward the end of World War II, Zimm participated in war-related research on light scattering by smokes under Victor K. LaMer.

7.60 linear feet (19 archives boxes)

Publication rights are held by the creator of the collection.

Collection is open for research.