Seymour Benzer was an American molecular biologist and geneticist known for his pioneering work in the field of genetics. He made significant contributions to our understanding of the genetic basis of behavior, particularly through his research on Drosophila melanogaster, commonly known as the fruit fly. His experiments helped establish the link between genes and behavior, laying the groundwork for future studies in neurogenetics. In addition to his work on behavior, Benzer was instrumental in developing techniques for mapping genes and studying their functions. He is also recognized for his role in the discovery of phage lambda, a virus that infects bacteria, which further advanced the field of molecular biology. His innovative approaches have had a lasting impact on genetics and neuroscience.