Melvin Martin Green

Melvin Martin Green (August 24, 1916 – October 24, 2017), commonly known as Mel Green, was an American geneticist known for his research on mutation, recombination, and transposable elements in Drosophila melanogaster. He was a professor of genetics at the University of California, Davis, where he was among the early members of the genetics faculty and contributed to the development of the department. He was elected a member of the National Academy of Sciences in 1980.

Early life and education

Green was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on August 24, 1916. He attended the University of Minnesota, where he initially considered a career in history before turning to genetics after taking a course taught by Clarence Oliver.

At UC Davis, Green taught courses in general genetics, cytogenetics, human genetics, and the history of genetics, and mentored generations of students.

He conducted studies on radiation-induced mutation and reversion in Drosophila, demonstrating that X-rays could induce reverse mutations (reversions) as well as forward mutations, and that different classes of alleles exhibited distinct responses to irradiation.

Green is noted for his work on unstable mutations at the white locus in Drosophila, where he identified mobile genetic elements that could move within the genome. These studies provided one of the first demonstrations of transposable elements in Drosophila, extending concepts previously developed in plants by Barbara McClintock.

He also investigated mutator systems and mechanisms of genetic instability, including elements that promoted recombination and insertional mutagenesis in natural populations. His work contributed to the understanding of gene structure, mutagenesis, and genome dynamics.

Honors and recognition

Green was elected to the National Academy of Sciences in 1980 in recognition of his contributions to genetics.

Personal life

Green married Kathleen Cummings following his military service. She was also a biologist and the couple published together; she was active in civic life in Davis, California, including service on the city council. They had two sons, Jeremy and Jonathan.

Green died on October 24, 2017, at the age of 101.