The phage genetic material is DNA
The Hershey-Chase experiment demonstrated that the genetic material of phages is DNA, not protein. The experiment uses two sets of T2 bacteriophage. In one set, the protein coat is labeled with radioactive sulfur (35S), not found in DNA. In the other set, the DNA is labeled with radioactive phosphorus (32P), not found in amino acids. Only the 32P is recovered from the E. coli, indicating that DNA is the agent necessary for the production of new phages.