Leslie Barnett facts for kids

Leslie Barnett (born October 12, 1920, as Margaret Leslie Collard – died February 10, 2002) was an important British biologist. She worked with famous scientists like Francis Crick and Sydney Brenner. Together, they made a huge discovery about the genetic code. This code is like a secret language in our bodies that tells cells how to build proteins.

In 1961, Leslie Barnett and her team did a key experiment. They showed that the genetic code is "triplet." This means it reads in groups of three letters (or "bases"). They also found something called frameshift mutations. These are like typos in the genetic code that shift how it's read. This discovery was a big step in understanding how our genes work.

Leslie Barnett was a microbiologist, which means she studied tiny living things. She worked at the Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge for many years. She helped with many major advances in understanding genes and how life works.

Leslie Barnett's Career Journey

Early Life and Studies

Leslie Barnett started her training in agriculture in Essex before World War II. In 1939, she began working at a dairy, testing milk. She later worked for United Dairies in London. After moving around during the war, she returned to London. There, she met and married James in 1945.

James encouraged her to go to Reading University. Leslie loved her time there, studying for her science degree in dairying. She had two daughters, Penny and Marion. Even after her divorce, she remained fond of James.

Working in Molecular Biology

Leslie Barnett joined the MRC Unit as a technician. This unit later moved to "The Hut" in Cambridge. Her first job was to help with calculations for scientists studying crystals.

Later, she started working with Sydney Brenner. She helped set up research on phages, which are viruses that infect bacteria. She also helped prepare for important American visitors like Seymour Benzer.

Leslie Barnett also worked with Vernon Ingram. They found out that a small change in a protein causes sickle cell disease. This was the first time a disease was understood at a molecular level. Leslie showed she could do many different types of science. She moved to Brenner's team and made big contributions to their lab work. She became a co-author on two of their most important scientific papers.

In 1966, she became a Senior Tutor at a new college called Clare Hall, Cambridge. She was very popular in this role. When Sydney Brenner retired in 1986, Leslie Barnett left the lab. She continued to work with him at a new unit in Addenbrooke's Hospital. She even helped train Francis Crick in some experiments. Many years later, she also helped set up Sydney Brenner's lab in Singapore.

Helping Students at Clare Hall

Leslie Barnett was one of the first Fellows at Clare Hall, a new college for graduate students. In 1972, she became a tutor, helping students. In 1975, she became the Senior Tutor, a role she held until she retired in 1985.

Many students from all over the world remembered her kindness and wisdom. They said she was like a "mother" to them. Leslie played a big part in college life, especially organizing social events and parties. Her colleagues and friends remembered her with great affection.

To honor her contributions, the college named a student residence the Leslie Barnett House. A bronze sculpture by Lois Tilbrook also pays tribute to her. After retiring, she became an Emeritus Fellow and stayed involved with the college until her final illness.

What Scientists Said About Leslie

Many scientists praised Leslie Barnett's work. Eric Miller, a visiting scientist, said she made "immense scientific contributions." He believed that many big discoveries in molecular biology would not have happened without her careful work.

Francis Crick also spoke highly of her. He said they hired Leslie in 1955 to help with calculations. When they found out she had a biology background, she started doing experiments. Crick said she was "invaluable" because she was always so careful and precise in her experiments.

Recognition

In 1978, Clare Hall acquired a second house in Cambridge for graduate students. It was named Leslie Barnett House, honoring the popular Senior Tutor.