Rosalinda Franklin
Rosalinda Franklin was born in 1920 in London, England. She earned a Ph.D. in physical chemistry from Cambridge University and she learned crystallography and X-ray diffraction, techniques that she applied in her research (Bio. True Story, N/A). During her years of research, she worked independently and was nicknamed “Dark Lady” for her hostile behaviour towards colleagues. She spent most of her time photographing cells, structures of bones, etc. and was exposed to radiation constantly. Fortunately, one of her photographs provided key insights into DNA structure which led to the discovery of the helical structure of DNA. Other scientists used it as the basis for their DNA model and took credit for the discovery. Franklin died of ovarian cancer in 1958 at the age of 37 (Bio. True Story, N/A) without being awarded a nobel prize.
During introduction to DNA synthesis, we briefly discussed who discovered the helical structure of the DNA. In this section, Rosalinda Franklin is mentioned. She is significant to me because, not only has her researched changed the world’s view of DNA, but it has also given students everywhere the ability to learn about DNA thoroughly and further analyze the subject in a way that society never would have been able to without her contribution to science. In addition, this artifact helped me in the course and will continue to help me throughout my life because without knowing the structure of DNA, scientist would not be able to explain how DNA replication occurs. For instance, the enzyme, DNA polymerase III unzips the DNA structure by breaking the H-bonds that binds the backbones of the DNA together. If the structure of the DNA is unknown then the first stage, initiation, in the DNA replication process would be unknown. Consequently, students would not be able to learn about DNA replication in school. This is an example among many that effectively demonstrates the importance of this woman and her contributions to science.
During introduction to DNA synthesis, we briefly discussed who discovered the helical structure of the DNA. In this section, Rosalinda Franklin is mentioned. She is significant to me because, not only has her researched changed the world’s view of DNA, but it has also given students everywhere the ability to learn about DNA thoroughly and further analyze the subject in a way that society never would have been able to without her contribution to science. In addition, this artifact helped me in the course and will continue to help me throughout my life because without knowing the structure of DNA, scientist would not be able to explain how DNA replication occurs. For instance, the enzyme, DNA polymerase III unzips the DNA structure by breaking the H-bonds that binds the backbones of the DNA together. If the structure of the DNA is unknown then the first stage, initiation, in the DNA replication process would be unknown. Consequently, students would not be able to learn about DNA replication in school. This is an example among many that effectively demonstrates the importance of this woman and her contributions to science.
References
Bio. True Story. (N/A). Rosalind Franklin biography. Retrieved November 28, 2013, from Bio. True Story: http://www.biography.com/people/rosalind-franklin-9301344?page=1