Griffith's experiments were significant because they led to the discovery of transformation - the process by which bacteria can take up and incorporate genetic material from their surroundings. This was a crucial finding that paved the way for understanding the role of DNA in heredity.
Here's a breakdown of what he was trying to do:
* Understanding how bacteria caused disease: Griffith wanted to understand the different strains of *Streptococcus pneumoniae* and how they interacted with the body.
* Developing a vaccine: He was trying to find a way to prevent pneumonia, potentially by using a weakened or inactive form of the bacteria to trigger an immune response.
It was through these experiments that he stumbled upon the phenomenon of transformation, which ultimately led to the understanding that DNA carries genetic information.