Mary F. Lyon

For the American educator Mary Lyon, see Mary Lyon.

Mary Francis Lyon (b.May 15 1925) is an English geneticist, she retired from active research in 1990. Her research focussed on the effects of radiation and other agents on genetic mutation, as well as the process of mutation itself and its applications to medicine. In 1961 she described inactivation of the X chromosome, the Lyon hypothesis explaining how X chromosomes can sometimes be inactive in mammals.

Reference

• Oakes, Elizabeth H. Lyon, Mary Frances. International Encyclopedia of Women Scientists. New York, NY. Facts On File, Inc. 2002. Facts On File, Inc. Science Online. <www.factsonfile.com>.