Jumping genes make genetic leaps

Agricultural Research, Jan, 1994 by Doris Stanley

Stiff Stalk Synthetic, one of the most important corn germplasm sources, was introduced by Sprague. Lines from this source are the ones most widely used in producing commercial corn hybrids today.

In the 1930's, before molecular biology or genetic engineering was recognized as a credible scientific discipline, a young George Sprague discovered a glossy gene in corn. From his classical breeding experiments, he knew that this gene was involved in producing wax in the corn plant. But it was not until 1992 that Sprague, then 91 years old, saw the gene cloned and used in genetic testing by another ARS researcher and a student at North Carolina State University.

After 48 years with the Agricultural Research Service and a lifetime of research on corn, George Sprague's work is an excellent example of the integration of basic and applied science.

Until recently a Distinguished Professor of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Department of Agronomy, University of Illinois, Urbana, George Sprague now lives in Eugene, Oregon.