What major scientific achievement is Nirenberg known for?
Cloning the first gene
Breaking the genetic code
Discovering the double helix
Inventing PCR
Answer
Breaking the genetic code is the major scientific achievement for which Nirenberg is known. He discovered the relationship between codons, the three-nucleotide sequences in DNA, and the amino acids they code for in proteins. This breakthrough provided the foundation for understanding how genetic information is translated into proteins, a fundamental process in all living organisms.
Decoding the Genetic Code: The Marshall Warren Nirenberg Challenge
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