Rosalind Franklin
Rosalind Franklin was a British biophysicist and X-ray crystallographer who made critical contributions to the understanding of the molecular structures of DNA, RNA, and viruses. Born on July 25, 1920, in London, England, Franklin's work was pivotal in the discovery of the DNA structure, although she did not receive the recognition she deserved during her lifetime.
Education and Early Career
Contributions to Molecular Biology
- Upon returning to England in 1951, Franklin joined King's College London to work on DNA. Here, she produced X-ray diffraction images of DNA, notably the famous Photo 51, which provided crucial evidence for the helical structure of DNA.
- Her work on DNA was shared with James Watson and Francis Crick by her colleague Maurice Wilkins, without her knowledge or consent, contributing significantly to their formulation of the double helix model of DNA.
- Despite her significant contributions, Franklin did not share in the 1962 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine awarded to Watson, Crick, and Wilkins, as she had passed away in 1958 from ovarian cancer at the age of 37.
Later Work and Legacy
- After her work on DNA, Franklin turned her attention to tobacco mosaic virus and poliovirus, making significant discoveries in the field of virology.
- Her posthumous recognition came with the understanding of her contributions, which were initially overshadowed by the work of her male colleagues.
- Today, Franklin is celebrated for her contributions to science, with numerous institutions and awards named in her honor, including the Rosalind Franklin Laboratory at Cambridge and the Rosalind Franklin Medal.
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