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Jan A. Witkowski, Ph.D.

B.Sc. Zoology, University of Southampton, United Kingdom, 1968
Ph.D. Biochemistry, University of London, United Kingdom, 1972
Royal Postgraduate Medical School, London, 1972-1984
Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, 1976
Imperial Cancer Research Fund, London, 1984-1986
Institute for Molecular Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, 1986
Banbury Center, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, 1987-2017
School of Biological Sciences, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, 1999-

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Jan Witkowski is Special Advisor to Bruce Stillman, CSHL President, and the former Executive Director of the CSHL Banbury Center. He was educated at Handsworth Grammar School in Birmingham, UK, obtained his B.Sc. in Zoology at the University of Southampton, UK, and his Ph.D. in biochemistry at the National Institute for Medical Research, London, UK (Dr. William Brighton). He carried out postdoctoral research on Duchenne muscular dystrophy at the Royal Postgraduate Medical School, Hammersmith Hospital, London, (Professor Victor Dubowitz) and at the Mayo Clinic, Minnesota (Dr. Andrew Engel.)

In 1984, Dr. Witkowski went to the Imperial Cancer Research Fund in London to pursue research on oncogenes (Dr. Gordon Peters.) In 1986, he was invited to join the Institute for Molecular Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston (Dr. C. Thomas Caskey), where he ran a laboratory performing DNA-based diagnosis of human genetic diseases.

Dr. Witkowski moved to his present position at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory in 1987. As executive director of the Banbury Center, he was responsible for selecting the topics and organization of some 20 meetings each year. These covered topics in molecular and cell biology, genetics, biotechnology, and societal issues of modern biology. During his 30-year tenure as director, the Center held 600 meetings attended by over 12,000 participants. His work at Banbury was recognized by his election as a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

His special interests are human molecular genetics, the interaction of science and society, and the history of modern experimental biology. He has published many papers on these topics and was a coauthor with Dr. James D. Watson, co-discoverer of the DNA double helix, of the second and third editions of Recombinant DNA. Most recently he was co-editor with Alex Gann of a new edition of Watson’s classic book The Double Helix. They have added over 250 illustrations, a similar number of annotations, five appendices and an index to create The Annotated and Illustrated Double Helix. His latest book is The Road to Discovery: A Short History of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. Witkowski has edited and contributed to ten other books. He was also an editor on the Image Archive on the American Eugenics Movement and DNA from the Beginning projects.

Dr. Witkowski is on the Faculty of the School of Biological Sciences, a former member of its Executive Committee (1999-2004) and a former instructor of the Scientific Ethics and Exposition course. He is a member of the Scientific Advisory Council of the James A. Baker Veterinary Research Institute (Cornell University) and was formerly Editor-in-Chief of Trends in Biochemical Sciences

He used to be a keen rockclimber, leading hard very severe grade (equivalent to American 5.8/5.9). This activity has been curtailed by the absence of rock on Long Island. Instead he devotes his energy to looking after his 1974 Jensen Interceptor, a classic English Grand Tourer.

1974 Jensen Interceptor
1974 Jensen Interceptor
1974 Jensen Interceptor
1974 Jensen Interceptor

Article written for the Jensen Owners Club

Books

Miller, L., Pollock, L.P., McCombie, W.R. & Witkowski, J. A. Faces of the Genome. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, 2018

Witkowski, J. A. The Road to Discovery: A Short History of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 2015

Watson, J. D., Gann, A. and Witkowski, J. A. The Annotated and Illustrated Double Helix. Simon & Schuster and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 2012

Witkowski, J. A. (ed) 75 Years in Science at the Cold Spring Harbor Symposium on Quantitative Biology. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 2010.

Stewart, D., Stillman, B. and Witkowski, J. A. (eds) Evolution: The Molecular Landscape. The 74th Cold Spring Harbor Symposium on Quantitative Biology. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press. 2010

Witkowski, J. A., Gann, A. and Sambrook, J. (eds). Life Illuminated: Selected Papers from Cold Spring Harbor, 1972-1993. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press. 2008

Witkowski. J. A. & Inglis, J. (eds). Davenport’s Dream: 21st Reflections on Heredity and Eugenics. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press. 2008.

Watson, J.D., Caudy, A. Myers, R. and Witkowski, J. A. Recombinant DNA: Genes and Genomes-A Short Course. W.H. Freeman/Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press. 2007 (Spanish, German, Korean, & Italian editions)

Witkowski, J. A. (ed.). The Inside Story: DNA to RNA to Protein. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press. 2005.

Inglis, J., Sambrook, J. and Witkowski, J. A. (eds.) Inspiring Science: Jim Watson and the Age of DNA. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 2003

Witkowski, J. A. (ed). Illuminating Life: Selected Papers from Cold Spring Harbor, 1903-1969. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 1999

Witkowski, J. A. JDW: Research Pathways at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 1998.

Watson, J.D., Gilman, M., Witkowski, J. A. and Zoller, M. Recombinant DNA – Second Edition W.H. Freeman. 1992. (with French, Spanish, German & Japanese editions)

Ballantyne, J., Sensabaugh, G. and Witkowski, J. A. (eds). DNA Technology and Forensic Science. Banbury Report #32, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 1989.

Horder, T., Witkowski, J. A. & Wylie, C.C. (eds). A History of Embryology. Cambridge University Press, 1986.

History of Science

Witkowski, J. A. (2017) Introduction to The Therapeutic Implications of Muscular Dystrophy Genomics. Wellcome Witnesses to Contemporary Medicine, 62: in press.

Gann, A. and Witkowski, J. A. (2013) DNA:Archives reveal Nobel nominations. Nature 496: 434

Gann, A. and Witkowski, J. A. (2010). The Lost Correspondence of Francis Crick. Nature 467: 519-524.

Witkowski, J. A. (2010) Origins & History; Biophysics; DNA; Developmental Biology; Venues – Racker, Bush, Grace; Lectures & Dinner Parties; J. C. Foothills; The Snapshots. Essays in 75 Years in Science at the Cold Spring Harbor Symposium on Quantitative Biology, Witkowski, J. A. (ed.)

Garfield, E., Hardy, E. F., Borner, K., Pollock, L. and Witkowski, J. A. (2010). HistCite Visualization of DNA Development. In Borner, K. (ed.) Atlas of Science: Visualizing What We Know. Cambridge: MIT Press.

Witkowski, J. A. Charles Benedict Davenport, 1866-1944. In Witkowski. J. A. & Inglis, J. (eds.). Davenport’s Dream: 21st Reflections on Heredity and Eugenics. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press. 2008

Witkowski, J. A. and Inglis, J. (2003). Education by the Sea Shore. In Inspiring Science: Jim Watson and the Age of DNA. Inglis, J , Sambrook, J. and Witkowski, J. A. (eds.). pp. 443-454.

Witkowski, J. A. (2002). Mad hatters at the DNA tea party. Nature 415: 473-474.

Witkowski, J. A. (2000). A Brief History of Life, Or How DNA took over Biology. Newton 20: 44-47.

Witkowski, J. A. (2000). The Origins and Development of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. Newton 20: 49-77.

Witkowski, J. A. (1999). Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory: A Brief History. In Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory School of Biological Sciences Doctoral Program.

Witkowski, J. A. (1999). Traits Studied by Eugenicists. In Image Archive on the American Eugenics Movement. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, http://vector.cshl.org/eugenics/.

Witkowski, J. A. (1997). More on Revolutions in Biology. BioEssays 19: 181-182. [correspondence].

Witkowski, J. A. (1997). Brighter Biochemistry. The Biochemist, June 1997, p. 5. [correspondence].

Witkowski, J. A. (1996). Manipulating DNA: From Cloning to Knockouts. In Foundations of Modern Biochemistry 2: Quantum Leaps in Biochemistry, 1960-1990, pp. 27 – 57. JAI Press..

Witkowski, J. A. (1992). Ramon y Cajal: observer and interpreter. Trends in Neurosciences. 12: 484. [correspondence].

Witkowski, J. A. (1992). Huxley in the laboratory: embracing inquisitiveness and widespread curiosity. In Julian Huxley – Biologist and Statesman of Science. (ed. A. van Helden). Rice University Press.

Witkowski, J. A. (1990). Carrel’s Cultures. [Correspondence]. Science 247: 1385-1386 .

Witkowski, J. A. (1990). The 51 most-cited articles in the Cold Spring Harbor Symposia on Quantitative Biology. In Current Contents, #28, July 9 1990: 7-17.

Witkowski, J. A. (1990). The Inherited Character of Cancer. Cancer Cells 2: 229-257.

Witkowski, J. A. (1990). Milestones in the Development of DNA Technology. In Forensic DNA Technology. M.A. Farley and J.J. Harrington (eds.). Lewis Publishers, Inc., Michigan. pp. 1-23.

Witkowski, J. A. (1988). The discovery of ‘split’ genes: a scientific revolution. Trends Biochem. Sci. 13: 110-113.

Witkowski, J. A. (1988). Fifty years of molecular biology: Molecular biology’s Hall of Fame. Trends Biotechnology 6: 234-243.

Witkowski, J. A. (1987). Optimistic analysis – chemical embryology in Cambridge, 1920-1942. Med. Hist. 31: 247-268.

Witkowski, J. A. (1987). Cell aging in vitro: a historical perspective. Exptl. Geront. 22: 231-248.

Witkowski, J. A. (1986). Ross Harrison and the experimental analysis of nerve growth: the origins of tissue culture. In Horder, T., Witkowski, J. A. & Wylie, C.C. (eds.). A History of Embryology. Cambridge University Press. pp.149-177.

Witkowski, J. A. (1986). Reason is silent before beauty. Trends Biochem. Sci. 11: 52.

Witkowski, J. A. (1986). Somatic cell hybrids: a fusion between cell biology, biochemistry and genetics. Trends Biochem. Sci. 11: 149-152.

Witkowski, J. A. (1986). The elixir of life. Trends Genet. 2: 110-113.

Witkowski, J. A. (1986). Honor Fell. Trends Biochem. Sci. 11: 486-488.

Witkowski, J. A. (1986). Schrödinger’s What is Life?; entropy, order and hereditary codescripts. Trends Biochem. Sci. 11: 266-268.

Witkowski, J. A. (1985). The “magic” of numbers. Trends Biochem. Sci. 10: 139-141.

Witkowski, J. A. (1985). The myth of cell immortality. Trends Biochem. Sci. 10: 258-260.

Witkowski, J. A. (1985). The hunting of the Organizer: an episode in biochemical embryology. Trends Biochem Sci. 10:379-381.

Witkowski, J. A. (1984). Dr. Alexis Carrel and tissue culture. J. Am. Med. Assoc. 252: 44-45. [correspondence].

Witkowski, J. A. (1983). Experimental pathology and the origins of tissue culture: Leo Loeb’s contribution. Med. Hist. 27:269-288.

Witkowski, J. A. (1980). W.T. Astbury and R.G. Harrison: the search for the molecular determination of form in the developing embryo. Notes & Records Roy. Soc. 35: 195-219.

Witkowski, J. A. (1980). Dr. Carrel’s immortal cells. Med. Hist. 24: 129-142.

Witkowski, J. A. (1979). Alexis Carrel and the mysticism of tissue culture. Med. Hist. 23: 279-296.

History of Science - web articles

Witkowski, J. A. (2002). Biography of Harold Varmus. Encyclopaedia of the Life Sciences. Macmillan. www.els.net.

Witkowski, J. A. (2002). Biography of Kary Mullis. Encyclopaedia of the Life Sciences. Macmillan. www.els.net.

Witkowski, J. A. (2000). A Brief History of Life, Or How DNA took over Biology. Newton 20: 44-47.

Witkowski, J. A. (2000). Biography of Thomas R. Cech. Encyclopaedia of the Life Sciences. Macmillan. www.els.net.

Witkowski, J. A. (2000). Biography of J. Michael Bishop. Encyclopaedia of the Life Sciences. Macmillan. www.els.net.

Witkowski, J. A. (2000). Biography of Hamilton Othanel Smith. Encyclopaedia of the Life Sciences. Macmillan. www.els.net.

Witkowski, J. A. (2000). Biography of Joseph Needham. Encyclopaedia of the Life Sciences. Macmillan. www.els.net .

Witkowski, J. A. (2000). Biography of Daniel Nathans. Encyclopaedia of the Life Sciences. Macmillan. www.els.net.

Witkowski, J. A. (2000). Biography of Francis Harry Compton Crick. Encyclopaedia of the Life Sciences. Macmillan. www.els.net.

Witkowski, J. A. (2000). Biography of James Dewey Watson. Encyclopaedia of the Life Sciences. Macmillan. www.els.net.

Witkowski, J. A. (2000). Biography of Ross Granville Harrison. Encyclopaedia of the Life Sciences. Macmillan. www.els.net.

Witkowski, J. A. (2000). Biography of Michael Stuart Brown. Encyclopaedia of the Life Sciences. Macmillan. www.els.net.

Witkowski, J. A. (2000). Biography of Sydney Brenner. Encyclopaedia of the Life Sciences. Macmillan. www.els.net.

Witkowski, J. A. (2000). Biography of Joseph Leonard Goldstein. Encyclopaedia of the Life Sciences. Macmillan. www.els.net.

Witkowski, J. A. (2000). A History of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. Encyclopaedia of the Life Sciences. Macmillan. www.els.net

Research and Science-related

Schutzer, S. E. et al. (2018). Advances in Serodiagnostic Testing for Lyme Disease Are at Hand. Clin. Infect. Dis 66: 1133-1139.

Branda, J. A. et al (2017). Advances in Serodiagnostic Testing for Lyme Disease Are at Hand. Clin. Infect. Dis. 66: 1133-1139.

Schatz, M. C., Witkowski, J. & McCombie, W. R. (2012) Current challenges in de novo plant genome sequencing and assembly. Genome Biology. 13: 243-249.

Bush, K. et al. (2011). Tackling antibiotic resistance. Nat. Rev. Microbiol. 9: 894-896.

Witkowski, J. A. (2006). The post-genomic era and complex disease. Pharmacogenomics 7: 341-343.

Witkowski, J. A. (2006). Should we make a fuss? Nature Biotechnology 24: 899.

Austin, C. P. et al. (2004). The Knockout Mouse Project. Nature Genetics 36: 921-924.

Witkowski, J. A.(2003). Chapter 10 “Genetic Fingerprinting: DNA’s Day in Court” in Watson, J. D. and Berry, A. DNA – The Secret of Life. Alfred . Knopf, New York, 2003.

Witkowski, J. A. (2003). Chapter 11 “Gene Hunting: The Genetics of Human Disease” in Watson, J. D. and Berry, A. DNA – The Secret of Life. Alfred . Knopf, New York, 2003.

Witkowski, J. A. (2003). Chapter 12 “Defying Disease: Treating and Preventing Genetic Disorders” in Watson, J. D. and Berry, A. DNA – The Secret of Life. Alfred . Knopf, New York, 2003.

Witkowski, J. A. (2003). Nature, nurture and bad behavior. The Age (Melbourne). July 8.

Witkowski, J. A. (1999). The Human Genome Programme: Origins; Goals; Current Achievements and Societal Implications. In Human Genome Research: Emerging Ethical, Legal, Social and Economic Issues. eds. M. G. K. Menon, P. N. Tandon; S. S. Agarawal and V. P. Sharma, Allied Publishers Limited, New Delhi.

Witkowski, J. A. (1999). The Current Status of the Human Genome Projects. In Human Genome Research: Emerging Ethical, Legal, Social and Economic Issues. eds. M. G. K. Menon, P. N. Tandon; S. S. Agarawal and V. P. Sharma, Allied Publishers Limited, New Delhi.

Witkowski, J. A. (1997). The Tyranny of Genetics? The Jewish Law Report. December, pp. 5-16.

Witkowski, J. A. (1997). Introduction to WCN Biotechnology Gene Therapy Symposium http://www.b2bnetwork.com/secure/biotechconference/j_witkowski3%20.html.

Witkowski, J. A. (1996). An Introductory Guide to Recombinant DNA. In Commercial Implications of Genomic Research Conference pp. 1-6. Dillon-Read.

Witkowski, J. A. (1995). The New Human Genetics: Present Successes, Potential Perils. Clin. Biochem. Rev. 16: 12-20.

McCabe, E.R.B., Towbin, J., Chamberlain, J., Baumbach, L., Witkowski, J. A., van Ommen, G.J.B., Koenig, M., Kunkel, L.M. & Seltzer, W.K. (1989). cDNA for the Duchenne muscular dystrophy locus demonstrate a previously undetectable deletion in a patient with dystrophic myopathy, glycerol kinase deficiency and congenital adrenal hypoplasia. J. Clin. Invest. 83: 95-99.

Witkowski, J. A. (1993). Sociological Discourse. Science. 260: 147. [correspondence].

Witkowski, J. A. (1989). Reprint requests and Current Contents. [Correspondence].Nature 337: 684.

Witkowski, J. A. (1989). Dystrophin-related Muscular Dystrophies. J. Child Neurol. 4:251-271.

Ward, P.A., Hejtmancik, J.F., Witkowski, J. A., Baumbach, L., Gunnell, S., Speer, J., Hawley, P., Tantravahi, U., Caskey, C.T. and Latt, S. (1989). Prenatal diagnosis of Duchenne muscular dystrophy: prospective linkage analysis and retrospective dystrophin cDNA analysis. Am. J. Hum. Genet. 44: 270-281.Witkowski, J. A. (1989). DNA and Forensic Science. The NEB Transcript 2: 1-6.

Witkowski, J. A. (1988). The molecular genetics of Duchenne muscular dystrophy: the beginning of the end? Trends Genet. 4: 27-30.

Caskey, C.T., Gibbs, R.E., Witkowski, J. A. & Hejtmancik, J.F. (1988). Human inheritable diseases. Phil. Trans. Roy. Soc. B319: 353-360.

Witkowski, J. A. & Caskey, C.T. (1988). Duchenne muscular dystrophy – DNA diagnosis in practice. Current Neurology, 8: 1-36.

Hejtmancik, J.F., Witkowski, J. A., Gunnel, S., Davis, S., Baumbach, L. & Caskey, C.T. (1988). Prenatal and carrier detection of Duchenne muscular dystrophy using recombinant DNA technology. In Nucleic Acid Probes in Diagnosis of Human Genetic Diseases. (A.M. Willey, ed.), pp. 83-100. New York: Alan R. Liss Inc.

Witkowski, J. A. (1988). Fraud in medical research. New Engl. J. Med. 318: 1395. [correspondence].

Pizzey, J. A., Witkowski, J. A. & Jones, G.E. (1987). Spreading behavior of cultured fibroblasts from carriers of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. J. Cell Sci. 87: 163-169.

Witkowski, J. A. (1986). Tissue culture studies of muscle disorders. Part I. Human dystrophies, techniques, cell growth, morphology, cell surface. Muscle & Nerve 9: 191-207.

Witkowski, J. A. (1986). Tissue culture studies of muscle disorders. Part II. Biochemical studies, nerve-muscle culture, metabolic myopathies and animal models. Muscle & Nerve 9: 283-298.

Adams, L.W., Priestly, G.C., Witkowski, J. A. & Jones, G.E. (1986). Behavior of Duchenne dystrophy fibroblasts in collagen gels. Cell Biol. Intl. Rep. 10: 509-515.

Hillier, J., Jones, G.E., Statham, H.E., Witkowski, J. A. & Dubowitz, V. (1985). Cell surface abnormality in clones of skin fibroblasts from a carrier of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. J. Med. Genet. 22: 100-103.

Dunn, M.J., Burghes, A.H.M., Witkowski, J. A. & Dubowitz, V. (1985). Analysis of genetic muscle disorders by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Protides of the Biological Fluids 32: 973-976.

Appleyard, S.A., Ripley, B.D., Witkowski, J. A., Shotton, D. & Dubowitz, V. (1985). A novel procedure for pattern analysis of features present on freeze-fractured plasma membranes. J. Cell Sci. 74: 105-117.

Witkowski, J. A. & Dubowitz, V. (1985). Duchenne muscular dystrophy: studies of cell motility in vitro. J. Cell Sci. 76: 225-234.

Jones, G.E., Pizzey, J. A. & Witkowski, J. A. (1985). The effect of monensin on cell aggregation of normal and dystrophic human skin fibroblasts. Exptl. Cell Res. 159: 540-545.

Witkowski, J. A. (1985). Detecting carriers of muscular dystrophies. Trends Genet. 2: 193-194.

Pizzey, J. A., Witkowski, J. A. & Jones, G.E. (1984). Monensin-induced inhibition of spreading in normal and dystrophic human fibroblasts. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 81:4960-4964.

Witkowski, J. A. (1984). Searching for the abnormal protein in Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The Muscular Dystrophy Group Journal. Winter edition.

Jones, G.E. & Witkowski, J. A. (1983). A cell surface abnormality in Duchenne muscular dystrophy: intercellular adhesiveness of skin fibroblasts from patients and carriers. Hum. Genet. 6:232-237.

Witkowski, J. A., Statham, H.E. & Dubowitz, V. (1983). Rotation-mediated aggregation of skin fibroblasts in Duchenne muscular dystrophy. J. Neurol. Sci. 61: 425-433.

Jones, G.E., Severs, N. & Witkowski, J. A. (1982). Freeze-fracture analysis of plasma membranes in Duchenne muscular dystrophy: a study using cultured skin fibroblasts. J. Neurol. Sci. 58: 185-193.

Jones, G.E. & Witkowski, J. A. (1982). Membrane abnormalities in Duchenne muscular dystrophy. J. Neurol. Sci. 58: 159-174.

Moss, D.W., Whitaker, K.B., Palmer, C., Heckmatt, J., Witkowski, J. A., Sewry, C. & Dubowitz, V. (1981). Activity of creatine kinase in sera from healthy women, carriers of Duchenne muscular dystrophy and cord blood, determined by the `European’ recommended method with NAC-EDTA activation. Clin. Chim. Acta. 116: 209-216.

Witkowski, J. A. & Jones, G.E. (1981). Duchenne muscular dystrophy – a membrane abnormality? Trends Biochem Sci. 6: ix-xii.

Statham, H.E. & Witkowski, J. A. (1981). The effect of ionophore A23187 on protein degradation in cultured fibroblasts. Biochem Soc. Trans. 9: 78.

Jones, G.E. & Witkowski, J. A. (1981). Analysis of skin fibroblast aggregation in Duchenne muscular dystrophy. J. Cell Sci. 48:291-300.

Burghes, A.H.M., Dunn, M.J., Witkowski, J. A. & Dubowitz, V. (1981). Polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic analysis of cultured skin fibroblasts from patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Biochem. Soc. Trans. 9: 118-119.

Statham, H.E., Witkowski, J. A. & Dubowitz, V. (1980). Protein degradation in normal and dystrophic cells in culture. Biochem. J. 192: 257-262.

Harvey, A.L., Robertson, G. & Witkowski, J. A. (1980). Increased membrane potentials of human skeletal muscle fibers in explant culture. J. Neurol. Sci. 44: 273-274.

Statham, H.E. & Witkowski, J. A. (1980). Protein degradation in Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Cell Biol. Int. Rep. 4: 793.

Harvey, A.L., Robertson, G. & Witkowski, J. A. (1979). Maturation of human skeletal muscle fibers in tissue culture. J. Neurol. Sci. 41: 115-122.

Jones, G.E. & Witkowski, J. A. (1979). Reduced adhesiveness between skin fibroblasts from patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. J. Neurol. Sci. 43: 465-470.

Witkowski, J. A. (1977). Diseased muscle cells in culture. Biol. Rev. 52: 431-476.

Witkowski, J. A. & Dubowitz, V. (1976). Comments on a report by the Research Group on Neuromuscular Diseases. J. Neurol. Sci. 29: 117-119. [correspondence].

Witkowski, J. A. & Durbidge, M.D. & Dubowitz, V. (1976). Growth of human muscle in tissue culture. In Vitro 12: 98-106.

Witkowski, J. A. & Dubowitz, V. (1975). Growth and differentiation of diseased human muscle cells in combined cultures with embryonic mouse spinal cord. J. Neurol. Sci. 26: 203-220.

Witkowski, J. A. & Brighton, W.D. (1972). Influence of serum on the attachment of tissue cells to glass surfaces. Exptl. Cell Res. 70: 41-48.

Witkowski, J. A. & Brighton, W.D. (1971). Stages of spreading of human diploid cells on glass surfaces. Exptl. Cell Res. 68: 372-380.

Miscellaneous

Witkowski, J. A. (2013). Two Big Bristols. Jensen Owners’ Club Magazine. In press

Witkowski, J. A. (2012). A Long Day on Long Island Jensen Owners’ Club Magazine 219: 16-17.

Witkowski, J. A. (2011). Dream come True Jensen Owners’ Club Magazine 217: 20-21.

Witkowski, J. A. (2001). The Liveliest Effusion of Wit and Humour Trends Biochem. Sci.26: 747-752.

Witkowski, J. A. (2000). Plus ça change. Trends Biochem. Sci. 26: 2.

Witkowski, J. A. (1997). Deconstructing the Flowing Line: Cartoons in Biochemistry. Trends Biochem. Sci. 22: 142-146.

Witkowski, J. A. (1997). Ghostly Illusions. The Biochemist, August 1998, p. 7. [correspondence].

Witkowski, J. A. (1996). Nothing to Laugh at All. Trends Biochem. Sci. 21: 156-160.

Witkowski, J. A. (1995). How I learned to Stop Worrying and Love Cell. Trends Biochem. Sci. 20: 163-168.

Witkowski, J. A. (1994). How long is the human genome? Lancet 344: 480. [correspondence].

Book Reviews

Witkowski, J. A. (2019). Winding road to DNA. “Unravelling the Double Helix: The Lost Heroes of DNA” by Gareth Williams. In Nature 568: 308-309.

Witkowski, J. A. (2016). Darwin’s Favorite Journal. “Making Nature: The History of a Scientific Journal” by Melinda Baldwin. In Cell 164: 591-592.

Witkowski, J. A. (2015). The race to decode life “Life’s Greatest Secret: The race to decode life” by Matthew Cobb. In Current Biology 25: R8i5-817.

Witkowski, J. A. (2012). “Brave Genius: A Scientist, a Philosopher, and Their Daring Adventures from the French Resistance to the Nobel Prize.” by Sean Carroll. In Nature 501: 487-488.

Witkowski, J. A. (2010) “Drawing the Map of Life” by Victor McElheny. In Nature 466: 921-922.
Witkowski, J. A. (2008) “The Murder of Nikolai Ivanovich Vavilov” by Peter Pringle. In Nature 454: 577-579.

Witkowski, J. A. (2007) “A Life Decoded” by J. Craig Venter. In Nature 449: 785-786.

Witkowski, J. A. (2006) “J. D. Bernal: The Sage of Science ” by A. Brown. In FASEB J. 21: 302-304.

Witkowski, J. A. (2004) “Life Sciences for the 21st century” by E Keinan, I Schechter, & M Sela (eds). In Proteomics 10: 3289-3290.

Witkowski, J. A. (2002) “Embryos in Wax” by Nick Hopwood. In Endeavour, 26: 161-162.

Witkowski, J. A. (2002) “Meselson, Stahl, and the Replication of DNA: A History of ‘The Most Beautiful Experiment in Biology’” by Frederic Lawrence Holmes. In Trends Biochem. Sci, 27: 487.

Witkowski, J. A. (2002) “Gene Action: A Historical Account” by Werner Maas. In Trends Biochem. Sci, 27: 57.

Witkowski, J. A. (2002) “Sydney Brenner: My Life in Science” by Sydney Brenner. In Nature, 415: 263.

Witkowski, J. A. (2001) “Cracking the Genome: Inside the Race to Unlock Human DNA” by Kevin Davies. In Nature, 409: 765-766.

Witkowski, J. A. (2000) “Picture Control: the electron microscope and the transformation of biology in America, 1940-1960,” by .Nicolas Rasmussen In Medical History, 44, 295-296.

Witkowski, J. A. (2000) “Proteins, Enzymes, Genes: The Interplay of Chemistry and Biology” by Joseph S. Fruton. In Trends Biochem. Sci, 25: 93-94.

Witkowski, J. A. (2000) “Genome” by Matt Ridley. In Oncology Times June 2000, pp. 63-64.

Witkowski, J. A. (2000) “Listen to the Music: The Life of Hilary Koprowski” by Robert Vaughan. In Endeavour, 24: 142.

Witkowski, J. A. (Spring/Summer 1999) “A Beautiful Mind : A Biography of John Forbes Nash, Jr.” by Sylvia Nasar. In Harbor Transcript, p. 19.

Witkowski, J. A. (1999) “A History of Molecular Biology” by Michael Morange. In Trends Biochem. Sci, 24: 462.

Witkowski, J. A. (Spring/Summer 1998) “Mendel’s Dwarf” by Simon Mawer. In Harbor Transcript, p. 11.

Witkowski, J. A. (Fall/Winter 1997) “Why is Sex Fun?: The Evolution of Human Sexuality” by Jared Diamond. In Harbor Transcript, p.15.

Witkowski, J. A. (Dec/Jan 1996/1997) “An Introduction to Recombinant DNA in Medicine” by Alan Emery and Sue Malcolm. In The Biochemist, p. 32-33.

Witkowski, J. A. (Dec/Jan 1996/1997) “Human Molecular Genetics” by Strachan and Read. In The Biochemist, p. 32-33.

Witkowski, J. A. (1995) “Blondes in Venetian Paintings, the Nine-Banded Armadillo, and Other Essays in Biochemistry” by Konrad Bloch. In Trends Biochem. Sci. 20, 292.

Witkowski, J. A. (1995) “DNA in the Courtroom: A Trial Watcher’s Guide” by Howard Coleman. In Trends Biochem. Sci.. 20: 486-487.

Witkowski, J. A. (1993) “The Uses of Life: A history of biotechnology” by Robert Bud. In Bio/Technology, 11:620-621.

Witkowski, J. A. (Dec/Jan 1992/9) “Life Itself” by C. Rosen. In The Biochemist, p.31.

Witkowski, J. A. (1991) “Written in Blood” by Colin Wilson. In Medical History, 35: 139-140.

Witkowski, J. A. (1991) “Towards the Habit of Truth” by Mahlon Hoagland. In Trends Biochem. Sci., 16: 76.

Witkowski, J. A. (1991) “Transforming Traditions in American Biology, 1880-1915″ by Jane Maienschein. In Science, 254: 1395-1397.

Witkowski, J. A. (1990) Beyond the Gene. Cytoplasmic Inheritance and the Struggle for Authority in Genetics” by Jan Sapp. In Medical History 34: 233-234

Witkowski, J. A. (1989) Science as a Process” by David Hull. In Trends Biochem. Sci. 14:420-421

Witkowski, J. A. (1989) “Is Science Necessary?” by Max Perutz. In Trends in Genetics 5:387.

Witkowski, J. A. (1988) “Autobiography of Dr. Karl Ernst von Baer” ed. J.M. Oppenheimer. In Med. Hist. 107-108.

Witkowski, J. A. (1988) “Scientists in Conference” by V. Neuhoff. In Trends in Genetics 4: 179.

Witkowski, J. A. (1988) “The Heritage of Experimental Embryology” by Viktor Hamburger. In Science 241: 365.

Witkowski, J. A. (1988) “Developmental Genetics of Higher Organisms” ed. G.M. Malacinski. In FASEB Journal: 2729.

Witkowski, J. A. (1988) “Molecular Approaches to Human Polygenic Disease” CIBA Foundation Symposium. In FASEB Journal: 2921.

Witkowski, J. A. (1986) “Penicillin: Meeting the Challenge” by G.L. Hobby. In Trends in Biotechnology 4: 163-164.

Witkowski, J. A. (1985) “Gene Cloning” by D.M. Glover. In Trends in Biotechnology 3: 80, 1985.

Witkowski, J. A. (1985) “Recombinant DNA Methodology” by J.R. Dillon et al. In Trends in Biotechnology 3: 186.

Witkowski, J. A. (1984) “Pharmacology of Nerve and Muscle in Tissue Culture” by A. Harvey. In Muscle & Nerve 8: 757.

Web projects

http://library.cshl.edu/symposia/

http://www.eugenicsarchive.org/eugenics/

Scientific editor, DNA from the Beginning: AN Animated Primer on the Basics of DNA, Genes and Heredity
http://www.dnaftb.org/dnaftb/credits.html

Exhibitions

Places & Spaces: Mapping Science, New York Public Library, HistCite Visualization of DNA Development, by Eugene Garfield (HistCite), Elisha Hardy and Katy B?rner (Graphic Design), Ludmila Pollock (Images) and Jan Witkowski (Text)

Advisory Committee, New York Public Library: Seeking the Secret of Life: The DNA Story in New York http://library.cshl.edu/DNAinNY/

Advisory Committee, New York Public Library: Honest Jim: James D. Watson the Writer

Committees

New York State Panel to Study “Genetic Fingerprinting” (1988-1989)

New York State Scientific Review Board – DNA Fingerprinting in Forensic Science (1992-1993)

National Research Council: Committee on Sharing Laboratory Resources (1992-93)

Member, The Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives (1992-)

National Park Service, Letterman (Presidio, San Francisco) Design Group (1993-1994)

Advisory Council, James A. Baker Institute for Animal Health, Cornell University (1998-)

Member, The MAD Scientist Network (1997-)

Fred Friendly Seminars, “Our Genes/Our Choices” Advisory Board (2001-2002)

Bioinformatics Advisory Committee, Biological Sciences Curriculum Study (2001-2002)

New York Bar Association Task Force on Wrongful Convictions (2009-)

Editorial Work

Former Editor-in-Chief, Trends in Biochemical Sciences (2001-2016)
Former member of the editorial board of The Journal of NIH Research (1989-1996)
Former member of the editorial board of Genes & Development (1988 to 1991)
Special Advisor, “Encyclopedia of the Life Sciences”, Macmillan Reference Ltd.