Alexander Gann is a Professor in the School of Biological Sciences at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL), where he previously served as Dean from 2012 to 2022. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Edinburgh (1989) and a B.Sc. in Microbiology and Genetics from University College London (1985). His research interests focus on gene regulation mechanisms and the history of molecular biology, with notable contributions to textbooks such as Molecular Biology of the Gene (co-authored with James Watson) and Genes and Signals (with Mark Ptashne). He has also edited historical collections like Life Illuminated and The Annotated and Illustrated Double Helix . Before joining CSHL, Gann conducted research on restriction enzymes (Edinburgh), gene regulation (Harvard), and newt limb regeneration (UCL). His transition to scientific publishing included roles at Nature and CSHL Press, where he developed lab manuals and monographs. His work bridges academic research, historical scholarship, and educational outreach, emphasizing the interplay between molecular mechanisms and their historical context. Publications highlight his expertise in biographical studies of key scientists (e.g., Sydney Brenner, Francis Crick) and foundational molecular biology concepts. His research has explored transcriptional regulation, developmental genetics, and regenerative biology, with collaborations spanning decades in both experimental and historical domains.









