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Rosalind FranklinRosalind Franklin was a chemist and X-ray crystallographer who researched the structure of carbon compounds, DNA, and viruses. Although her obituary recognized her primarily as a virus researcher, she is best known today for Photo 51. The image has become associated with her then-unrecognized contributions to the 1962 Nobel Prize for the model of DNA's structure, for which she has been called the "dark lady of DNA."
During World War II, she volunteered as an air raid warden and contributed to coal research to improve its effectiveness as an energy source and gas mask filtration. Using her skills in crystallography—the science of determining the atomic structure of matter—she discovered the spacing between the building blocks of DNA and its molecular dimensions.
Before her death, she studied plant virus structures, laying the groundwork for the 1982 Nobel Prize in chemistry.Explore Rosalind Franklin
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Explore a 3D model of the experimental setup Rosalind Franklin used to take Photo 51To capture the X-ray diffraction image of DNA from the thymus of a calf, Franklin built a humidity-controlling camera to isolate the B form of DNA. The exposure lasted 60 hours and produced a cross pattern, indicating a helical structure. SketchfabRosalind Franklin’s work led to Nobel Prize-winning discoveries in DNA and virologyHer X-ray diffraction imaging helped uncover the structure of DNA, which earned James Watson, Francis Crick, and Maurice Wilkins a Nobel Prize. The same techniques enabled virus imaging, contributing to Aaron Klug's Nobel Prize in chemistry. ScienceDirectX-ray data from Rosalind Franklin was key to discovering DNA’s double-helix structureAlthough unpublished, the data reached James Watson and Francis Crick, who worked at another institution. Incorporating her data allowed them to validate their model of DNA, which they published without crediting her. NewsthinkRosalind Franklin uncovered the molecular structure of the tobacco mosaic virusFranklin's work revealed the role of ribonucleic acid in virus infectivity, contributing to a foundational understanding of genetics and virology. Her molecular model of the virus was featured as the centerpiece at the 1958 Brussels World's Fair. The New York TimesRosalind Franklin was the long-overlooked contributor to discovering DNA's structureThough James Watson, Francis Crick, and Maurice Wilkins are credited with discovering the DNA double helix, it incorporated Rosalind Franklin's unpublished data. Photo 51, her famous DNA image, took more than 100 hours to produce and a year’s worth of analysis to interpret. TED-EdThe structure of DNA helices comes in three major varietiesThe hereditary molecule can take the form of A-DNA, B-DNA, or Z-DNA based on environmental conditions such as ion concentration and humidity—a characteristic identified by Rosalind Franklin. A-DNA is the shortest and widest of the three, while Z-DNA is the longest and narrowest. B-DNA—the most common variety in living cells—is the intermediate. ChemTalkView a collection of historical documents about molecular biology's historyThe collection features materials related to those involved in the discovery of DNA and provides historical context for the discoveries of RNA, various viruses, and important bioproteins. The items include photographs, business correspondence, manuscripts, and scientific instruments. Science History InstituteThe woman erased from the DNA breakthroughRosalind Franklin captured “Photo 51,” the key to DNA’s double helix. Her data, shared without her knowledge, helped Watson and Crick win a Nobel. She never got the prize, but today, her role in unlocking life’s blueprint is finally recognized. 1440Beyond DNA, Franklin's legacy extends into modern virology and steel productionWhile remembered for her critical but under-credited role in uncovering parameters for the structure of DNA, Rosalind Franklin made significant contributions across coal chemistry and virus structure. Her research helped improve fuel efficiency, wartime protective equipment, and foundational knowledge in molecular biology. NatureNature simultaneously published three papers on DNA—only the first made historyPapers by Watson and Crick, Wilkins, and Franklin were fast-tracked without peer review, and their order was arranged between lab heads and editors. Franklin's appeared last, making her paper read as though supporting Watson and Crick—because they'd already incorporated her data before it was published. NatureWatson's book was described as misleading when detailing Franklin's role in DNADespite working together to win the Nobel Prize for their discovery of the structure of DNA, Francis Crick and Maurice Wilkins objected to the publication of James Watson's account of DNA's discovery. Those involved describe how he villainized Rosalind Franklin and downplayed her work. PBSView the model of the tobacco mosaic virus from the 1958 Brussels World's FairAfter she finished analyzing her X-ray diffraction data on DNA fibers, Rosalind Franklin explored plant virus structures. For her work on the TMV, she was invited to build this 5-foot model, modified from earlier versions made of ping pong balls and bicycle handlebar grips. ResearchGateGraphite is a powerful conductor and heat-resistant materialGraphite can withstand temperatures of more than 3,000 degrees Celsius, allowing it to contain molten metal in steel production. Rosalind Franklin identified which carbon compounds become graphite and laid the groundwork for their use in industrial applications. Smithsonian ChannelExploring carbon compound pore structures contributed to improved gas mask filtrationDuring World War II, the British Coal Utilisation Research Association sought to improve the efficiency of coal as an energy source and studied the effectiveness of charcoal filters to keep soldiers safe. Rosalind Franklin's research there formed the basis of her PhD and led to five scientific papers. NIHPhoto 51's distinct 'X' pattern and spacing provided data to validate DNA's modelRosalind Franklin and Raymond Gosling captured the photo after bombarding DNA fibers with X-rays and observing how the beams were deflected. The photo had a 62-hour exposure time and indicated a helical structure for DNA. King's College London
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