Winner of the
Nobel Prize in
Chemistry in
1993 for his discovery of the
Polymerase chain reaction (
PCR), one of the most powerful tools of
molecular biology used to amplify
DNA sequences rapidly. In retrospect, it was an idea which was really
obvious, but he was the first to think of it.
Unfortunately for Mr. Mullis, he has a reputation as something of a flake. He lives on the beach in California, surfs, and takes LSD. His grand VISION of what PCR could be used for was to clone the DNA of dead celebrities and put it into things like bracelets, which could be sold to starstruck teenagers. Also known as one of the few proponents of the "HIV is not the AIDS virus" theory, which has pretty much been shot down beyond all reasonable doubt. Makes most of his money from guest lectures these days, living off his Nobel Prize, as no company or university will hire him.
See also: Polymerase Chain Reaction
Nobel Prizes: Chemistry