Story: Life sciences

Allan Wilson, revolutionary evolutionist

Allan Wilson combined the studies of biochemistry and evolutionary biology to produce ideas that changed the way evolution was studied. Wilson's research on the 'molecular clock' provided a new way of determining evolutionary relationships between species. His work on mitochondrial DNA gave new insights into the evolutionary history of modern humans. Although Wilson was a New Zealander, he did most of his work at the University of California, Berkeley, in the United States. In this film clip zoology professor David Wake and anthropology lecturer Sandra Hollimon, both of the University of California, Berkeley, discuss Wilson's work.

Using this item

George Andrews Productions
Reference: Allan Wilson: evolutionary [videorecording]. Writer, director and producer George Andrews. Auckland: George Andrews Productions, 2007

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Video graphics by Gary Leano, Afterglow. Post production by RPM pictures.

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How to cite this page:

Peter Clayworth, 'Life sciences - The genomics revolution', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/video/44108/allan-wilson-revolutionary-evolutionist (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Peter Clayworth, published 22 Oct 2014