Mullis, Kary Banks (World of Forensic Science)  12/28/1944br />
AMERICAN  American biochemist Kary Banks Mullis is famous in
forensic science circles as the designer of the polymerase chain
reaction (PCR). PCR is a fast and effective technique for
reproducing specific genes or deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)
fragments that is able to create billions of copies in a few
hours. Widely available because it is now relatively
inexpensive, PCR has revolutionized not only the biotechnology
industry, but also many other scientific fields and it has
important applications in forensic science and law enforcement.
Mullis was born in Lenoir, North Carolina, on December 28, 1944.
He entered Georgia Institute of Technology in 1962 and studied
chemistry. As an undergraduate, he created a laboratory for
manufacturing poisons and explosives. He also invented an
electronic device stimulated by brain waves that could control a
light switch.  Upon graduation from Georgia Tech in 1966 with a
B.S. degree in chemistry, Mullis entered t