Rosalind Franklin: Chemist and X-ray Crystallographer
Early Life:
Rosalind Elsie Franklin was born on July 25, 1920, in London, England. She was the second of four children in a prominent and intellectually stimulating family. Her father, Ellis Franklin, was a merchant banker, and her mother, Muriel Franklin, was actively involved in social and political causes.
From a young age, Rosalind showed an aptitude for science and mathematics. Her family encouraged her intellectual pursuits, and she attended private schools, including St. Paul’s Girls’ School in London. Despite facing some gender-based barriers in pursuing higher education, she managed to enroll at Newnham College, Cambridge, in 1938, where she studied chemistry.
Research and World War II:
Franklin completed her undergraduate studies in 1941, and during World War II, she worked on war-related research at the British Coal Utilization Research Association. Her work involved investigating the microstructure of coals to improve fuel efficiency. This experience deepened her expertise in physical chemistry and research techniques.
Ph.D. and X-ray Crystallography:
After the war, Franklin earned her Ph.D. at the University of Cambridge in 1945 under the supervision of Ronald Norrish. She focused on the porosity of coals and continued to refine her skills in X-ray crystallography, a technique that involves analyzing the diffraction patterns of X-rays passing through crystalline structures to determine their atomic arrangement.
Franklin’s proficiency in X-ray crystallography led her to join the Biophysical Laboratory at King’s College London, where she began her groundbreaking work on the structure of DNA.
DNA Research at King’s College:
In 1951, Franklin began her research on the structure of DNA, a project she approached with dedication and exceptional technical skill. She used X-ray crystallography to capture high-resolution images of DNA fibers and analyzed the diffraction patterns to extract information about the molecule’s structure.
Her famous photograph known as Photograph 51, taken in May 1952, provided critical evidence of the helical structure of DNA. This photograph became pivotal in the eventual elucidation of the DNA double helix.
Conflict and Legacy:
The story of Rosalind Franklin’s contributions to the discovery of the DNA structure is marked by controversy and interpersonal conflicts. There were tensions with fellow researcher Maurice Wilkins, who had access to Franklin’s data without her knowledge. Additionally, James Watson and Francis Crick, who were also working on DNA structure, used Franklin’s work, including Photograph 51, in their model-building efforts.
In 1953, Watson, Crick, and Wilkins published their groundbreaking paper proposing the double helix structure of DNA, and they were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1962. Unfortunately, Franklin had passed away by then, and the Nobel Prize is not awarded posthumously.
Later Career and Legacy:
After leaving King’s College in 1953, Franklin continued her research in different areas, including the structure of viruses. She moved to Birkbeck College in London, where she made significant contributions to the understanding of the tobacco mosaic virus.
Tragically, Rosalind Franklin’s career was cut short. She was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, and she passed away on April 16, 1958, at the age of 37.
Despite the controversies surrounding her role in the discovery of the DNA structure, Franklin’s contributions to science have received increased recognition over the years. Her work laid the foundation for advancements in molecular biology, and her impact on X-ray crystallography extended beyond DNA research. Rosalind Franklin’s legacy endures as a trailblazer in the field of molecular science and a symbol of perseverance in the face of challenges.
