Rosalind Franklin and Photograph 51

Rosalind Franklin was a British chemist whose groundbreaking work in X-ray crystallography was crucial to the discovery of the DNA structure.

Franklin's expertise in X-ray crystallography allowed her to capture detailed images of DNA's structure, revealing its characteristic double helix shape.

In 1952, Franklin produced the first clear image of crystalline DNA using X-ray diffraction techniques. This image was instrumental in helping Watson and Crick build their DNA model.

While Franklin's work was instrumental in determining the structure of DNA, she received limited recognition during her lifetime. She was only 37 when she died in 1958.

Franklin's research on the chemical structure of coal and graphite demonstrated her early aptitude for scientific investigation. This work earned her a doctorate from Cambridge University.

A groundbreaking image captured by Rosalind Franklin in 1952 using X-ray diffraction, showing the helical structure of DNA.

The process of using X-rays to analyze the internal structure of crystals, revealing the arrangement of atoms within a molecule.

A scientist who made significant contributions to the understanding of the structure of DNA using X-ray diffraction techniques and whose work was crucial in developing the double helix model.

The shape of DNA, characterized by two strands twisted around each other like a ladder.

A type of virus that affects the nervous system and can cause paralysis.

An X-ray image of DNA taken by Rosalind Franklin that revealed the double helical structure. It was a crucial piece of evidence for Watson and Crick.

Rosalind Franklin's groundbreaking image of DNA's structure revealed its characteristic spiral shape, composed of two strands.

Franklin's research at King's College London, focusing on DNA structure, revealed a significant aspect of the molecule's arrangement. She determined that the 'backbone' of DNA lies on the outside of the structure.

Franklin's scientific contributions to understanding DNA's structure were not fully acknowledged during her lifetime despite playing a crucial role in Watson and Crick's groundbreaking discovery.

Rosalind Franklin's expertise in crystallography extended beyond DNA, leading to her discoveries about vital structures like the tobacco mosaic virus (TMV).

Maurice Wilkins was a biophysicist who shared the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with Francis Crick and James Watson for their discovery of the DNA structure. He studied the structure of DNA using X-ray diffraction, which helped determine its double helix shape.

Wilkins's work focused on using X-ray diffraction to study DNA fibers. This technique allowed him to obtain images that showed the intricate structure of DNA, leading to the understanding of its double helix shape.

Wilkins worked with Rosalind Franklin at King's College London, where their combined efforts produced crucial X-ray images of DNA. These images, particularly one known as 'Photograph 51,' were instrumental in understanding the double helix structure.

While Wilkins's work was essential in determining the DNA structure, his contribution is often overshadowed by those of Watson and Crick. The X-ray images he obtained were instrumental in the discovery, yet he received less recognition compared to his colleagues.

Besides studying DNA, Wilkins also conducted research on the polio virus and received grants to support his scientific endeavors. His work demonstrated a commitment to uncovering the secrets of various biological systems.