Weigle, Jean Jacques (Physicist, Biologist)

Dates

• Existence: 1901 - 1968

Biographical/Historical

Background: Caltech Research Associate in Biology, 1949-1968.

Biographical/Historical

Description: Jean Weigle's scientific career consisted of two distinct and distinguished halves, the first as a physicist and the second as a biologist. A professor and head of the physics department at the University of Geneva from 1931 to 1948, Weigle resigned his position in Geneva after suffering a heart attack and became a research associate in Biology at Caltech. His work as a biologist focused on the interaction between viruses and hosts, including work on the lambda virus. He is most noted for his demonstration with Matt Meselson of Caltech and Grete Kellenberger of Geneva that genetic recombination involves actual breakage and reunion of DNA molecules.

Biographical/Historical

Collection Notes: Papers, ca. 1957-68. His papers are primarily made up of correspondence related to his research and professional activities, as well as selected rerpints. In English and French.

Collection size: 2 boxes, 1 linear ft.

Finding aid available at the Archives.

Photo of Jean Weigle with Delbruck and the phage group (PhotoNet).

Found in 6 Collections and/or Records: