The Discovery of the Structure of DNA

Key Figures

James Watson and Francis Crick: Credited with the discovery of the DNA double helix.
Rosalind Franklin: Provided critical data that supported Watson and Crick's model.
Maurice Wilkins: Lab mate of Franklin who shared her x-ray photograph with Watson and Crick.

Early Life and Education
- Born in London, 1920.
- Aspiration to be a scientist from a young age.
- Attended Cambridge, earned a Ph.D. in Chemistry.
- Conducted research leading to better gas masks during WWII.
Research at King's College, 1951
- Joined to study DNA structure using x-ray crystallography.
- Improved x-ray lab quality significantly.
- Despite isolation and sexism, continued her research.
Photo 51
- In 1952, captured Photo 51, a crucial x-ray diffraction image of DNA.
- Image required 100 hours to capture.
- Calculations from this image took a year to complete.

Use of Franklin's Data
- Wilkins showed Franklin's Photo 51 to Watson and Crick without her knowledge.
- Watson and Crick used this image for a quick analysis to build potential DNA structures.
- Published their model in April 1953.
Simultaneous Discovery
- Franklin independently arrived at the same model of DNA.
- Her manuscript was published alongside Watson and Crick's but in a way that seemed to confirm rather than inspire their work.

Nobel Prize 1962
- Awarded to Watson, Crick, and Wilkins for DNA structure discovery.
- Franklin was not recognized as Nobel Prizes aren't awarded posthumously.
Rosalind Franklin's Legacy
- Hypothesized she could have won a second Nobel for work on virus structure.
- The story highlights the sexism and lack of recognition in science.
- Her work has had significant impacts on medicine, biology, and agriculture.

Importance of Franklin's Work
- Emphasizes the need to honor Rosalind Franklin as a key contributor to the discovery of the DNA structure and her broader scientific impact.
- Calls for a reevaluation of her contributions beyond the shadow of her male counterparts.