Background
Taylor, James Herbert was born on January 14, 1916 in Corsicana, Texas, United States. Son of Charles Aaron and Delia May (McCain) Taylor.
(In 1977 I wrote a grant proposal in which I applied to st...)
In 1977 I wrote a grant proposal in which I applied to study developmental patterns in enzymatic methylation of DNA in eukaryotes. One part of the proposal was to assay cells at different embryonic developmental stages for maintenance and de novo type methylase activity. With one exception the referees, probably developmental biologists, recommended that the work not be supported because there was no evidence that methylation plays any role in eukaryotic gene regulation. Aside from proving that innovative ideas can seldom be used to successfully compete for grant funds, the skepticism of biologists toward methylation as a regulatory mechanism was, and still is, widespread even among some of those who investigate the problem. That is a healthy situation for all points of view should be brought to bear on a problem of such importance. However, to deny funds to investigate a problem because one has already formed an opinion without evidence is hardly commendable. The great skepticism about the significance of DNA methylation is based in part on the evidence that it is absent or very little used in Drosophila, a favorite organism for genetic and developmental studies. There now remains little doubt that methylation of cytosine in certain CpG sites can strikingly affect the transcription of sequences 3' to the methylated doublet. How this inhibition operates and to what extent it is utilized in cells is still debatable.
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Taylor, James Herbert was born on January 14, 1916 in Corsicana, Texas, United States. Son of Charles Aaron and Delia May (McCain) Taylor.
Bachelor of Science, Southern Oklahoma State University, 1939; Master of Sciences, University Oklahoma, 1941; Doctor of Philosophy, University Virginia, 1944.
Assistant professor bacteriology and botany, U. Oklahoma, Norman, 1946-1947;
associate professor botany, U. Tennessee, Knoxville, 1948-1951;
assistant professor botany, Columbia University, New York City, 1951-1954;
associate professor, Columbia University, 1954-1958;
professor cell biology, Columbia University, 1958-1964;
professor biological science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, 1964-1983;
Robert O. Lawton distinguished professor biological science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, 1983-1990;
professor emeritus, Florida State University, Tallahassee, since 1990;
associate director, Institute Molecular Biophysics, Florida State University, 1970-1979;
director, Institute Molecular Biophysics, 1980-1985. Consultant Oak Ridge National Laboratory, 1949-1951. Research collaborator Brookhaven National Laboratory, 1951-1958.
National lecturer Sigma Xi Research Society.
(In 1977 I wrote a grant proposal in which I applied to st...)
(In 1977 I wrote a grant proposal in which I applied to st...)
President Unitarian Church Tallahassee, 1968-1970. Served with Medical Corps United States Army, 1943-1946, PTO. Member National Academy of Sciences, American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Institute Biological Science, American Society Cell Biologists (president 1969-1970), Biophysics Society, Genetics Society of America.
Married Shirley Catherine Hoover, May 1, 1946. Children: Lynne Sue, Lucy Delia, Michael Wesley.