How did Hershey and Chase established that DNA is transferred from virus to bacteria?

Hershey and Chase worked on bacteriophages (viruses that infect bacteria).

When a bacteriophage infects a bacterium, the viral genetic material gets attached with the bacterial genetic material and then, bacteria treats the viral genetic material as its own to synthesize more viral particles.

Hershey and Chase experiment were to discover whether it was a protein or DNA that entered the bacteria from virus. They carried out the following steps:

i. They labelled some phages with radioactive sulphur and the others with radioactive phosphorus.

ii. These radioactive phages were used to infect E. coli.

iii. Then, E.coli was blended and centrifuged to remove viral particles.

iv. It was observed that bacteria with radioactive DNA were radioactive while those with radioactive proteins lost their radioactivity. 

This showed that it is the DNA that enters the bacteria from viruses and not proteins. Hence, it was concluded that DNA is the genetic material.