Written by Background: For decades, scientists sought to understand how genetic information was stored and transmitted. Early research on DNA suggested it played a role in heredity, but its exact structure remained unknown. Researchers, including Rosalind Franklin, Maurice Wilkins, James Watson, and Francis Crick, worked independently and collaboratively to uncover the molecular structure of DNA.
What Happened: On February 28, 1953, James Watson and Francis Crick announced their discovery of DNA’s double-helix structure, which explained how genetic information is copied and passed down. Their findings were based in part on Rosalind Franklin’s X-ray diffraction images, which provided crucial evidence. The discovery was published in “Nature” in April 1953 and revolutionized the field of genetics.
Impact for the Future: The discovery of the DNA structure was one of the most important scientific breakthroughs of the 20th century. It paved the way for advancements in genetics, medicine, and biotechnology, including genetic engineering, DNA fingerprinting, and the Human Genome Project.