Lecture by Kary Mullis-Creator of PCR


He talked about two things. The scheduled thing was about his new company Altermune and how he designed some new scheme to rapidly prime immune cells to respond to emerging diseases. For this part, he rambled aimlessly and repetitively.

The second part, seemingly un-rehearsed, was much more interesting. He speculated that brain diseases like Alzheimer and Parkinsons are due to an accumulation of Fe3+ iron in the cell. He knows alot about iron chemistry and says that it simpy builds up. Neurons, which don't divide, are especially senstive to accumulations of Fe3+ as there is no known cellular disposal method. He says his idea is not a new one as others have written about it. Notably, he says one reliable way to dispose of iron is to habitually give blood. Hah!

Interesting, likable character he was.