Oswald Theodore Avery was born on October 21, 1877, in Canada. He showed an early interest in science and medicine, which led him to pursue a career in the field.
Avery attended Colgate University for his undergraduate studies before enrolling in the Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons to study medicine. He graduated with a medical degree and began his career as a physician in 1907.
As a doctor, Avery focused on research and soon became interested in the field of genetics. He conducted groundbreaking experiments that would later shape the field of molecular biology.
Avery is best known for his work on identifying DNA as the material that makes up genes and chromosomes. His famous Avery–MacLeod–McCarty experiment demonstrated the transforming principle of DNA, a discovery that revolutionized the scientific community.
Throughout his career, Avery was nominated for the Nobel Prize multiple times for his groundbreaking research on DNA. Despite his nominations, he never received the prestigious award.
Despite his professional success, Avery chose to never marry. He instead lived for thirty-five years with his close friend and colleague, immunologist Alphonse Dochez.
Avery's work paved the way for further research in genetics and molecular biology. His colleagues Alfred Hershey and Martha Chase continued his research and made significant contributions to our understanding of the DNA double helix.