Rosalind Franklin stands as a significant figure in the history of 20th-century science. Her meticulous approach to scientific inquiry left an indelible mark on several fields. She conducted research that advanced our understanding of molecular structures. Her contributions continue to underscore her importance in scientific advancement.
Early Life and Scientific Beginnings
Rosalind Elsie Franklin was born on July 25, 1920, in Notting Hill, London, into an affluent Anglo-Jewish family that highly valued education. From an early age, she displayed exceptional intelligence and a strong inclination towards science. She attended St. Paul’s Girls’ School before enrolling at Newnham College, Cambridge, in 1938 to study physical chemistry.
After graduating in 1941, Franklin received a research fellowship at Cambridge. During World War II, she joined the British Coal Utilisation Research Association (BCURA) in 1942. Her research focused on the physical chemistry of carbon and coal, investigating the porosity and structural changes in coals, which proved valuable for industrial applications like the coking industry and even gas mask filters. This work formed the basis of her 1945 PhD thesis, for which she received her doctorate from Cambridge.
Her Contributions to DNA Structure
In 1951, Rosalind Franklin joined the Biophysical Laboratory at King’s College London as a research fellow, tasked with applying X-ray diffraction methods to study DNA. At King’s College, she improved the X-ray crystallography unit, obtaining high-resolution photographs of DNA fibers. Her expertise allowed her to differentiate between two forms of DNA: the “A” form (dehydrated) and the “B” form (hydrated).
Among her achievements was “Photo 51,” a clear X-ray diffraction image of the “B” form of DNA, taken by her PhD student Raymond Gosling. This image provided crucial quantitative data, revealing a distinct X-shape pattern, indicating a helical structure. From this and other data, Franklin deduced the basic dimensions of the DNA strand, including the spacing of its base pairs, and confirmed its helical structure. She also concluded that DNA contained two strands.
Beyond DNA: Other Scientific Work
While Rosalind Franklin’s work on DNA is widely recognized, her scientific contributions extended beyond this discovery. Her early research at the British Coal Utilisation Research Association focused on the microstructure of various coals and carbons. She elucidated why some coals were more permeable to water or gases, identifying and measuring molecular-level constrictions within their pores. This foundational work on carbon structures was instrumental in classifying coals and predicting their performance as fuels, earning her an international reputation among coal chemists.
After her work on DNA, Franklin shifted her focus to the molecular structures of viruses at Birkbeck College, London. She made contributions to structural virology, particularly through her studies of the Tobacco Mosaic Virus (TMV). Her team determined the helical arrangement of protein molecules around a central core, with a single RNA particle wound along the inner surface of TMV. She also initiated research on the polio virus, laying groundwork for understanding its structure, contributing to vaccine development.
The Double Helix Unveiled and Her Enduring Legacy
The discovery of the double helix structure of DNA in 1953 by James Watson and Francis Crick, along with Maurice Wilkins, relied on Rosalind Franklin’s experimental data. Photo 51 and her analysis of DNA’s dimensions confirmed their model. Maurice Wilkins, a colleague at King’s College London, showed Photo 51 to James Watson without Franklin’s knowledge or permission.
Franklin’s contributions were unacknowledged during her lifetime, and she did not share in the 1962 Nobel Prize awarded to Watson, Crick, and Wilkins, as the prize is not given posthumously. Watson’s memoir, “The Double Helix,” published in 1968, fueled controversy with its unflattering portrayal of Franklin. Despite the initial lack of recognition, her scientific rigor and pioneering techniques have since gained acknowledgment, cementing her legacy in molecular biology. She continues to inspire women in STEM fields, highlighting the importance of recognizing all scientific contributions.