Rosalind Franklin

The story of one of science's most unsung heroes.

Rosalind Franklin (1920-1958) was a British chemist known for her contributions in the understanding of DNA. Her research and discoveries were primarily based on the understanding of the molecular structures of DNA, RNA, viruses, coal, and graphite. After being accepted as a research associate in London, Rosalind Franklin discovered some key characteristics of DNA such as the double helix structure.

In 1952, Raymond Gosling took Photo 51, an X-Ray that showed the structure of DNA.  This was where the double helix was presented under the supervision of Rosalind Franklin. The double helix is a structure composed of two antiparallel strands of DNA that are intertwined about a common axis. Initially, she put the photo aside since she was more interested in solving the diffraction pattern of the "A" form of DNA than any other topic that Gosling was researching. The A form of DNA is a double helix that is right handed that has strands that are non-symmetrical. 

Later, controversy arose when Raymond Gosling presented this photo to his new advisor Maurice Wilkins, who then showed the photo to James Watson.  Using Photo 51 and evidence from other sources, Watson and Crick developed the chemical model of the DNA molecule. In 1962, Watson, Crick, and Wilkins were awarded the Nobel Prize with no credit given to Rosalind Franklin, regardless of her contributions to this area of research. .  As a result, many regard Rosalind as a “forgotten heroine” or an “Unsung Hero.”