The discovery of enzymatic photoreactivation and the question of priority: The letters of Salvador Luria and Albert Kelner

Enzymatic photoreactivation of DNA occupies a special place in the history of the DNA repair field. It is indeed the first time that the reversion of alterations in the DNA chemistry leading to lethality was demonstrated. It was soon after shown that this correction is mediated by a specific enzymatic process. A controversy accompanied the events surrounding the 'independent discovery of this phenomenon by A. Kelner and R. Dulbecco. The exchange of letters with S. Luria illustrates the graceful conciliation role played by him in defining appropriate credit.