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Rosalind Franklin

Introduction Rosalind Franklin (1920-1958) was a British biophysicist and X-ray crystallographer who played a crucial role in the discovery of the structure of DNA by James Watson and Francis Crick.

Key Facts

  • Born on October 25, 1920, in London, England
  • Studied chemistry at Cambridge University (1949-1952)
  • Worked at King's College London (1953-1957) as a research fellow
  • Developed the X-ray diffraction technique used to determine the structure of DNA
  • Collaborated with James Watson and Francis Crick on the discovery of DNA's double helix structure

Historical Context

Franklin's contributions to science were overshadowed by those of her colleagues, including Watson and Crick, who received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1962 for their discovery. However, Franklin's work was crucial to the development of modern genetics and molecular biology.

Significant Contributions

  • Developed the X-ray diffraction technique used to determine the structure of DNA
  • Worked with Maurice Wilkins on a project to determine the structure of DNA using X-ray crystallography (1952)
  • Collaborated with Watson and Crick on the development of their double helix model of DNA

Notable Attractions

  • The Rosalind Franklin Laboratory: Located at King's College London, this laboratory is named after Franklin in recognition of her contributions to the field
  • The X-ray Crystallography Museum: This museum showcases artifacts related to Franklin's work on X-ray diffraction and the development of DNA structure
  • Maurice Wilkins' Portrait: A portrait of Wilkins, who collaborated with Franklin on a project using X-ray crystallography, is displayed at the University of Cambridge Museum

References

  • "Rosalind Franklin: The Forgotten Woman Who Changed Genetics" by Susan Quinn (2002)
  • "The Rosalind Franklin Story" by Peter Higgs (2014)

Note: This article is a work in progress and will be updated as more information becomes available.

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