Oliver E. Nelson Jr.

Oliver Evans Nelson Jr. (August 16, 1920 – November 6, 2001) was an American plant geneticist known for pioneering work in maize genetics, including the genetic and biochemical analysis of starch synthesis, the use of transposable elements in plants, and the development of nutritionally improved maize varieties such as quality protein maize (QPM). He was elected to the National Academy of Sciences in 1972.

Early life and education

Nelson was born in Seattle, Washington, and raised in the New Haven, Connecticut area. In 1969, he moved to the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where he spent the remainder of his career and later served as chair of the Laboratory of Genetics.

He further elucidated starch biosynthesis in maize through studies of additional endosperm mutants, including shrunken2, demonstrating that loss of ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase activity leads to severe reductions in starch accumulation and establishing the central role of ADP-glucose in starch synthesis.

Quality protein maize

One of Nelson’s most influential contributions was the discovery, with Edwin T. Mertz, Lynn S. Bates, and colleagues, that mutations such as opaque2 and floury2 increased levels of essential amino acids including lysine and tryptophan in maize. In a landmark 1964 study, Nelson, Mertz, and Bates demonstrated that the opaque2 mutant alters maize endosperm protein composition, increasing lysine content by up to ~70% relative to normal kernels. This work demonstrated that the nutritional quality of maize could be significantly improved through genetics and led to the eventual development of quality protein maize (QPM), which has been widely adopted in parts of Latin America, Africa, and Asia.

Service and mentorship

Nelson played a major role in the maize genetics community, contributing to the organization of the Maize Genetics Conference and helping to establish standards for maize genetic nomenclature. He mentored numerous graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, many of whom became leaders in plant genetics.

Honors and awards

Nelson received numerous honors for his contributions to genetics, including:

Election to the National Academy of Sciences (1972) Thomas Hunt Morgan Medal (1997) Stephen Hales Prize from the American Society of Plant Biologists (1988) John Scott Medal (1967) together with Mertz for "First high quality protein corn"

Personal life Nelson married Gerda Hansen in 1963. He remained scientifically active until shortly before his death on November 6, 2001, despite significant health challenges.