Download Rosalind Franklin

Rosalyn Franklin
“Dark Lady of Science”
Early Interest in Nucleic Acids




1939: 19-year-old student at Newnham
College
Studying chemistry
Speculative sketch of nucleic acid
“Geometrical basis for inheritance?”
Work with Coal



Thesis was based on the holes in coal
1945: Received her PhD from Cambridge in
physical chemistry
Research had important industrial
applications
X-Ray Diffraction



One of the most capable practioners of the
field
Helped refine the technology
1951 moved to King’s College to do x-ray
diffraction work
King’s College





JT Randall asked her to work on the
structure of DNA
Believed x-ray work exclusively to herself
Wilkins thought he was supposed to work
with her
Wilkins’ mentality
Unhappy working atmosphere
Rosalyn’s Contributions



Corrected Watson and Crick on their original
model
Her data gave full dimensions of the unit cell,
its length, width and angles
Provided the basic scientific evidence for the
structure of the nucleic acid, DNA
–
–
Phosphate groups lie on the outside of the
molecule
DNA chain has a helical conformation
Work Unrecognized




1952 Franklin had a full report written for the
MRC
1962 Watson, Crick and Wilkins received the
Nobel Prize
Franklin did not, died 1958
Franklin’s memory was honored in the spring
of 2000 with the opening of the FranklinWilkins Hall at King’s College
References


Anonymous. Rosalyn Franklin.
http://www2.carthage.edu/~pfaffle/hgp/Frankl
in.html Accessed 20 June 2005.
Franklin, S. My aunt, the DNA pioneer. 24
April 2003.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/ni/sci/tech/2895681.s
tm Accessed 20 June 2005.