James F. Bonner | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 1, 1910 |
| Died | September 13, 1996 (aged 86) |
| Education | University of Utah (B.A. 1931), California Institute of Technology (Ph.D. 1934) |
| Known for | Devising a better way to collect natural rubber from trees; discovering histones control gene activity |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Molecular biology |
| Institutions | California Institute of Technology |
| Notable students | Ru Chih C. Huang |
James Frederick Bonner (September 1, 1910 – September 13, 1996) was an American molecular biologist, [1] [2] a member of the National Academy of Sciences, [2] notable for discoveries in plant biochemistry.[1][2] Bonner invented a better way to collect natural rubber from trees.[1][2][3] As result of his invention Malaysia nearly doubled its production of natural rubber.[1][2][4] Bonner was instrumental in the invention of a method of mechanical harvesting of oranges.[1][2][3][4] One of his most notable discoveries was finding how histones control gene activity.[5] Bonner was professor and professor emeritus of biology at the California Institute of Technology.[2][4]