In the DNA — Rosalind Franklin

“Science, for me, gives a partial explanation for life. In so far as it goes, it is based on fact, experience and experiment”…Rosalind Franklin

The woman who made an integral contribution to the DNA discovery. Rosalind Elsie Franklin, a name in science who was equally intriguing and controversial. Her research work in deoxyribonucleic acid, and DNA led to the discovery of a double helix structure. Rosalind excelled at science and decided to become a scientist at a young age. Franklin’s mother once said, “Rosalind knew exactly where she was going, and at sixteen, she took science as her subject.” The zeal to do research was always with her.

Her work in measuring micro-structures (which she was the first to identify) and this fundamental work made it possible to classify coals and predict their performance to a high degree of accuracy, which yielded her doctoral thesis. Eventually, received her PhD from Cambridge in the year 1945. Later, in the year 1946, she polished her technique in X-ray crystallography and worked immensely in the field. A pioneer in analysing carbons using X-ray crystallography. She carried out her research at King’s College. Her work was appreciated by J. D. Bernal who called her X-ray photographs of DNA, “the most beautiful X-ray photographs of any substance ever taken.” It is these data which helped James Watson and Francis Crick to determine the DNA Double Helix. Her contribution to the discovery was appreciated much later and debate about her credit continues.

She then continued her work at Birkbeck College, where she studied the structure of the tobacco mosaic virus. She was hugely victorious at this work, published many scientific papers and continued her work till her death. In 1958, she died of ovarian cancer at the age of 37, and she was at the peak of her career.

A passionate woman who worked hard and made her contribution visible to the world. She loved travelling and also enjoyed discussions in science and politics. Her legacy is far beyond, and it still reflects in many remarkable ways. Science institutes, awards and many other things have been made after her. The latest addition, her legacy will extend into space, as the planned robotic rover named Rosalind Franklin will set off to explore Mars (was planned in 2022 but now it got delayed). Over the years, she has been remembered in a multitude of ways. Her work reflected her dedication towards science, and she lived through it. So let’s begin our march towards making her proud.