Chapter 4 : Margaret Dayhoff: Catalyst of a Quiet Revolution

Abstract:

Most researchers are familiar with Margaret Dayhoff’s name from the point accepted mutation series of amino acid scoring matrices. However, this contribution was only a small part of her work, which laid the foundations of the field of bioinformatics. In fact, her work was transformative, acquiring its power from a synthesis of the comparative approach of organismal biology and its application to molecular data (sequences) from a wide array of organisms. Remarkably, she was developing this groundbreaking work at a time when women scientists were rare and underappreciated. As the field of bioinformatics continues to grow in relevance, so does the power of her story to inspire new crops of female scientists.