A British scientist who contributed significantly to the discovery of the structure of DNA, providing high-quality X-ray crystallography images that helped James Watson and Francis Crick develop their famous model.
Rosalind Franklin was a British chemist and X-ray crystallographer whose pioneering work on the molecular structure of DNA, RNA, viruses, coal, and graphite laid the foundation for some of the most significant scientific breakthroughs of the 20th century. Her groundbreaking research on X-ray diffraction images of DNA, particularly Photo 51, facilitated the discovery of the double helix structure, earning her a permanent place in the annals of scientific history.
Born on July 25, 1920, in Notting Hill, London, Franklin grew up in a family of modest means. Her parents encouraged her interest in science, and she went on to study natural sciences at Newnham College, Cambridge. Graduating in 1941, Franklin enrolled for a PhD in physical chemistry under Ronald George Wreyford Norrish, but soon became disillusioned with his lack of enthusiasm.
In 1942, Franklin took up a research position under the British Coal Utilisation Research Association (BCURA), where her work on coal helped her earn a PhD from Cambridge in 1945. The following year, she moved to Paris as a chercheur postdoctoral researcher under Jacques Mering at the Laboratoire Central des Services Chimiques de l'Etat, honing her skills as an X-ray crystallographer.
In 1951, Franklin joined King's College London as a research associate, where she made her most significant contributions to DNA research. Her meticulous work on X-ray diffraction images, including the iconic Photo 51, provided the crucial data that facilitated James Watson and Francis Crick's discovery of the double helix structure. Franklin's expertise and innovative approach earned her recognition as an accomplished X-ray crystallographer, but her contributions were often marginalized by her male colleagues.
Franklin's tumultuous relationships with her director, John Randall, and colleague, Maurice Wilkins, led to her departure from King's College London in 1953. She moved to Birkbeck College, where she continued her research on viruses and coal. Franklin's untimely death on April 16, 1958, at the age of 37, meant that she did not live to see the full recognition of her work.
Today, Franklin is celebrated as a feminist icon and a pioneer in the field of molecular biology. Her story serves as a powerful testament to the struggles faced by women in science and the importance of acknowledging their contributions. Despite the controversies surrounding her legacy, Franklin's work remains an integral part of our understanding of the molecular structure of DNA, RNA, and viruses.
"The most important thing in life is to learn how to give out love, and let it come in."
Rosalind Franklin's remarkable story serves as a poignant reminder of the power of perseverance, dedication, and innovation. Her legacy continues to inspire generations of scientists, researchers, and scholars, cementing her place as one of the most important figures in the history of molecular biology.
96 Years Old
Discovered the structure of DNA, revolutionizing our understanding of genetics and earning a Nobel Prize. Pioneering work in molecular biology has far-reaching implications for medicine and beyond.
Born in 1916
Pioneering scientist who discovered the structure of DNA, revolutionizing our understanding of genetics and life itself.
Born in 1916
A Nobel Prize-winning physicist and biologist who contributed significantly to the discovery of the structure of DNA, using X-ray crystallography to produce the first clear images of the molecule.
Born in 1901
Pioneering chemist and peace activist who won two unshared Nobel Prizes, one for chemistry and one for peace, for his groundbreaking work on the nature of the chemical bond and his tireless efforts to promote nuclear disarmament.
Born in 1905
A pioneer in DNA research, this biochemist discovered the base pairing rules of DNA, leading to a fundamental understanding of genetic code.
Born in 1918
Developed techniques for sequencing DNA and proteins, revolutionizing molecular biology and earning two Nobel Prizes in Chemistry.
Born in 1914
Pioneering crystallographer who unraveled the structure of hemoglobin, revolutionizing our understanding of biological molecules. His work paved the way for major advances in medicine and biochemistry.
Born in 1917
Pioneering biochemist and crystallographer who determined the structure of myoglobin, a protein in muscle cells, and was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1962.
