Sir Alec John Jeffreys, FRS (born 9
January 1950 at Oxford in Oxfordshire) is a British geneticist, who developed techniques for DNA fingerprinting
and DNA profiling.
Biography
After graduating from the University of Oxford, he moved to the University of Leicester in 1977, where he developed
genetic fingerprinting. DNA fingerprinting uses variations in the
genetic code to identify individuals. The technique has been applied in forensics for law enforcement, to resolve paternity and immigration disputes, and can be applied to
non-human species, for example in wildlife population genetics studies.
Jeffrey's DNA technique was used in the first regional screen of human DNA to identify the rapist and killer of two girls in
Narborough, Leicestershire in 1983 and 1986.
Colin Pitchfork was identified through the screen and convicted of murder after samples
taken from him matched semen samples taken from the two dead girls.
Jeffreys refined his DNA fingerprinting technique, by developing DNA profiling
based on highly variable minisatellites in the human genome. DNA profiling therefore
focused on just a few of these highly variable minisatellites, making the system more sensitive, more reproducible and amenable
to computer databasing. With highly automated and sophisticated equipment, the modern-day DNA fingerprinter can process hundreds
of samples a day. Jeffreys' DNA profiling technique was the basis for the UK National
DNA Database (NDNAD) launched in Britain in 1995. Under British law, anyone
arrested has their DNA profile stored on a database (whether or not they are convicted). The DNA information of 3 million people
is now stored on that database. Jeffreys has opposed the current use of his invention, where the government have access to that
database, and has instead proposed a database of all people's DNA, whose access would be controlled by an independent third
party. [1]
Jeffreys and his team are now studying the effects of chronic irradiation such as that which has followed the melt down of the
nuclear reactor at Chernobyl. Other areas of interest include analysis of human genome instability and recombination processes by
single gamete and transgenic approaches. He is also investigating the effects of ionising
radiation on germline mutation.
Awards and Recognition
He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1986, declared Midlander of the Year in 1989 and appointed as a Royal Society
Research Professor in 1991. He was made a freeman of the City of Leicester in 1992, and was knighted in 1994. In 1996, he was awarded
the Albert Einstein World Award of Science. He was awarded the
Australia Prize in 1998. In 2004 he was awarded his D.Sc. by the University of Leicester and the Royal Medal by the
Royal Society, and the Louis-Jeantet
Prize for Medicine. In 2005 he was awarded the Lasker Award for clinical medical
research, with Edwin Southern of Oxford
University. In December 2006 he was awarded the Degree of Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) by the University of
Liverpool. In 2006, he was nominated for the Morgan Stanley Great Briton Award, for the Greatest Briton of the year, Professor Jeffreys emerged victorious in the
category of Science and Innovation, and as the overall winner. His name has also featured consistently in the annual
Nobel Prize speculation, but Jeffreys is yet to be awarded that distinction.
Jeffreys is a Distinguished Supporter of the British Humanist
Association.
References
External links
| Persondata |
| NAME |
Jeffreys, Alec |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES |
Jeffreys, Alec John |
| SHORT DESCRIPTION |
Inventor of genetic profiling |
| DATE OF BIRTH |
19 January, 1950 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH |
Oxford, United Kingdom |
| DATE OF DEATH |
|
| PLACE OF DEATH |
|
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