Student Theses and Dissertations

Biochemical and Biological Studies on the Growth of an RNA Containing Bacteriophage

Stephen Cooper

A thesis presented to the faculty of The Rockefeller University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy

Abstract

The growth of the RNA-containing bacteriophage f2 has been studied. DNA synthesis appear normal after phage infection. It is possible to dissociate the synthesis of viral RNA from the synthesis of DNA using thymine-less bacteria with fluorinated pyrimidines and Mitomycin C as inhibitors of DNA synthesis. It is concluded that the growth of f2 is independent of DNA synthesis.