Rosalind Franklin's DNA Structure Discovery

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Rosalind Franklin made significant contributions to the understanding of DNA's double helix structure. Her work at King's College London involved using X-ray crystallography to capture high-quality images of DNA. Notably, she produced the famous "Photo 51," which was crucial in revealing the helical shape of DNA. This image, taken in 1952, was instrumental in Watson and Crick's development of the double helix model. Franklin's expertise in controlling the humidity of DNA samples allowed her to distinguish between two forms of DNA: A and B. Her data and findings were essential for the breakthroughs achieved by Watson and Crick. Franklin's contributions were often overlooked, despite her pivotal role in the discovery. She was meticulous in her approach, preferring to rely on experimental data rather than speculation. Her work included detailed analyses of DNA's structure, concluding that it had a helical form with phosphate groups on the outside. Although she did not receive the Nobel Prize due to her untimely death, her legacy is now recognized as foundational to the field of molecular biology. Her contributions underscore the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and rigorous scientific methodology in advancing our understanding of biological structures.