13 Facts About Ernst Freese

Dr Ernst Freese was a molecular biologist who worked on the mechanism of mutations in DNA.

Ernst Freese began his career as a student of physics with Werner Heisenberg at the University of Gottingen, Gottingen, Germany, where Freese received his PhD in 1953 in work in theoretical particle physics.

Ernst Freese came to the United States in 1954 to work as a postdoctoral fellow with Enrico Fermi at the University of Chicago.

Ernst Freese started his career in biology at Max Delbruck's laboratory at the California Institute of Technology in 1955.

Ernst Freese held research positions at the University of Cologne and Harvard University, where he worked with James Watson.

Ernst Freese was the Director of the Basic Neurosciences Program at NINDS from 1987.

Ernst Freese was interested in the molecular mechanism of mutations and determined the difference between spontaneous and chemical mutations by using T4 phage.

Ernst Freese studied the effect of lipophilic acids on the growth and differentiation of bacteria.

Ernst Freese's laboratory worked on the metabolic control of sporulation and germination of Bacillus subtilis bacteria.

Ernst Freese identified the key metabolite for ignition of sporulation: a decrease of GTP.

Ernst Freese was cofounder of the Environmental Mutagen Society and served as its president for two years.

Ernst Freese's laboratory identified certain compounds as mutagenic and he was instrumental in banning the use of certain pesticides and food additives.

Ernst Freese received the Alexander von Humboldt Prize in 1983.