[1] Hall's graduate thesis research identified the two major RNAs (18S and 28S) of the eukaryotic ribosome,[2] under the mentorship of Paul M.
[3] After accepting a faculty appointment at the University of Illinois in 1958, Hall conducted studies of the RNA generated by T4 phage when infecting E. coli.
By developing molecular hybridization techniques, his lab demonstrated that such RNAs had complementary sequences to those of the bacteriophage DNA,[4][2] providing the first direct evidence for the existence of messenger RNA.
[7] Based on these findings, Hall and colleagues developed methods for the expression of genetically engineered proteins in yeast.
[7][8] Later in his career Hall studied the molecular systematics, taxonomy, and evolutionary history of fungi and flowering plants,[2][7] and accepted a part time position in the department of botany.