What did James Watson, Francis Crick, and Maurice Wilkins discover?

In 1962 Watson (b. 1928), Crick (1916–2004), and Wilkins (1916–2004) jointly received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their 1953 determination of the structure of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA).

The molecule that is the basis for heredity, DNA, contains the patterns for constructing proteins in the body, including the various enzymes.

A new understanding of heredity and hereditary disease was possible once it was determined that DNA consists of two chains twisted around each other, or double helixes, of alternating phosphate and sugar groups, and that the two chains are held together by hydrogen bonds between pairs of organic bases.

Modern biotechnology also has its basis in the structural knowledge of DNA—in this case, the scientist’s ability to modify the DNA of host cells that will then produce a desired product, for example, insulin.

More Info: www.sciencehistory.org

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50 Comments

Scott Liberty

Everyone knows that Rosalind Franklin did the X-Ray crysttallograpy that discovered the structure of DNA

Boyd Tracy

Figured leaving out Franklin would cause complaint. There is actually valid reason to do so depending on one's definition of discover. As someone pointed out she was not part of the original discovery but contributed to it by more clearly establishing its structure But that same reasoning could have perhaps also left out Wilkens. I imagine he was included however due to fact he was a joint recipient of the Nobel prize.

Joss Coverdale

Would like to know why Rosalind Franklin’s name has been left off of this list.

Steven Miller

Couldn't have done it without Rosalind Franklin

Darlene Crawford

You forget Rosalind Franklin

Bank-Robber

The Three DNA guys!!!

Georgia Kemp

Char, That was either Roentgen or however his name was spelled.

rosemarymee

Joss Coverdale, she was female...

hpontikes

There's a Rosalind Franklin University. Anything for Watson, Crick and Wilkins?

mkbre

By leaving out Rosalind Franklin, the question perpetrates the myth behind the discovery of DNA. Without Franklin's work, Watson and Crick would not have been able to settle on the double helix shape.