Howard M Temin

Title: Howard M Temin: Pioneering Researcher in Retroviruses

Introduction:

In the early 1960s, Howard M Temin conducted groundbreaking research on the Rous sarcoma virus, a retrovirus that causes cancer in chickens. His remarkable work led to the discovery of reverse transcriptase, an enzyme that plays a crucial role in the replication process of retroviruses. This article explores Temin's notable career highlights, latest patents, and collaborations, showcasing his significant contributions to the field of retrovirology.

Latest Patents:

Howard M Temin has been a prolific inventor, with a total of four patents to his name. Two of his most recent patents include:

1. More complex type retroviruses having mixed type LTR, and uses thereof:

This patent describes the construction of chimeric retroviral vectors containing the long terminal repeats (LTRs) from both simple retroviruses, such as spleen necrosis virus (SNV) and murine leukemia virus (MLV), and more complex retroviruses like bovine leukemia virus (BLV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). These vectors produce replication-competent retrovirus particles, which can be utilized in diagnostic assays and for the production of specific antisera.

2. Recombination resistant retroviral helper cell and products produced:

Temin's second patent discloses an improved helper cell for growing stocks of replication-incompetent retrovirus vectors. This helper cell is designed to resist recombination events by replacing natural promoters and poly(A) sequences in the helper sequences with foreign counterparts bearing little homology to the vectors. The resulting helper cell produces the necessary helper proteins while significantly reducing the risk of recombination events. This patent also covers vectors produced by these helper cells and the ability to use them with hosts from different species.

Career Highlights:

Howard M Temin's long and illustrious career was closely associated with the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF), an organization that facilitates technology transfer at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Serving as a research scientist at WARF, Temin contributed extensively to the understanding of retroviruses and the field of molecular biology as a whole.

Collaborations:

Throughout his career, Temin collaborated with numerous researchers, expanding the breadth and depth of his research findings. Notably, he worked closely with Joseph P Dougherty and Shinichi Watanabe, both of whom made significant contributions to the study of retroviruses. These collaborations enhanced the scientific community's understanding of retroviral biology and opened new avenues for therapeutic interventions.

Conclusion:

Howard M Temin's groundbreaking research on the Rous sarcoma virus and subsequent discovery of reverse transcriptase revolutionized the field of retrovirology. His patents on constructing chimeric retroviral vectors and developing recombination-resistant helper cells have provided valuable tools for diagnostic assays and vector-based gene therapies. Temin's collaborations, particularly with Dougherty and Watanabe, exemplify the power of interdisciplinary cooperation in the advancement of scientific knowledge. Howard M Temin's enduring legacy continues to shape the field of molecular biology and inspires future generations of researchers in their pursuit of innovation and discovery.