1. Rosalyn Franklin
“Dark Lady of Science”

3. Early Interest in Nucleic Acids
1939: 19-year-old student at Newnham College
Studying chemistry
Speculative sketch of nucleic acid
“Geometrical basis for inheritance?”

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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 Franklin-Wilkins Hall at King’s College

9. References
Anonymous. Rosalyn Franklin. Accessed 20 June 2005.
Franklin, S. My aunt, the DNA pioneer. 24 April Accessed 20 June 2005.