What was the first restriction enzyme discovered?

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Detailed Solution

The very first restriction enzyme to be discovered was Hind II (or HIND-2). It was found in 1970 by Hamilton O. Smith and Kent W. Wilcox while studying the bacterium Haemophilus influenzae.

This breakthrough was a game-changer for biology, because it gave scientists a tool to cut DNA at exact spots. That ability opened the door to genetic engineering. For their pioneering work on restriction enzymes, Werner Arber, Hamilton Smith, and Daniel Nathans were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1978.

Discovery at a Glance:

Enzyme: Hind II
Source:Haemophilus influenzae (a bacterium)
Discoverers: Hamilton O. Smith and Kent W. Wilcox
Year: 1970
Why It Matters: First enzyme shown to cut DNA at specific sites—an essential step toward modern genetic engineering.

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