Direct answer:
The structure of DNA was co-discovered by James Watson and Francis Crick in
1953, revealing the famous double-helix model. Rosalind Franklin and Maurice
Wilkins contributed critical X-ray diffraction data that informed and guided
Watson and Crick’s model, and Franklin’s Photo 51 is frequently highlighted as
pivotal evidence supporting the helical structure. Watson and Crick published
their model in Nature in 1953, which established the backbone of the
understanding that DNA stores genetic information and replicates with
complementary base-pairing. Details and context:
- Early clues and data: By the early 1950s, multiple groups were studying DNA, including Watson and Crick in Cambridge and Franklin (a key figure at King's College London) using X-ray crystallography to probe DNA’s structure. Franklin’s high-quality diffraction images, especially Photo 51, strongly suggested a helical structure with specific dimensions that guided the eventual model. These data were shared with Watson and Crick without Franklin’s direct collaboration, leading to rapid model-building progress.
- The model: Watson and Crick proposed a right-handed double helix with two sugar-phosphate backbones on the outside and paired bases inside, stabilized by hydrogen bonds between complementary bases (adenine with thymine, guanine with cytosine). This arrangement explained Chargaff’s rules and provided a mechanism for replication through base-pairing. The 1953 publication in Nature formalized the discovery.
- Aftermath and recognition: The discovery is often framed as a collaboration where Franklin and Wilkins provided essential evidence, though Watson and Crick did not work alongside Franklin directly. The story has been revisited in light of discussions about credit and the role Franklin played. Contemporary assessments emphasize Franklin’s critical contributions and the broader collaborative context.
Key figures:
- James D. Watson: Co-discoverer of the DNA double-helix; later controversial for statements about race and other topics, but his 1953 work with Crick is a cornerstone of molecular biology.
- Francis H.C. Crick: Co-discoverer of the DNA double-helix; his approach to model-building and synthesis of data across disciplines were central to the solution.
- Rosalind Franklin: Provided crucial X-ray diffraction evidence that shaped the understanding of DNA’s structure; her Photo 51 is frequently cited as a decisive clue.
- Maurice Wilkins: Shared data and collaborated with Watson and Crick, contributing to the overall discovery narrative.
If you’d like, I can tailor a concise timeline or a comparison of interpretations about credit and collaboration, with citations.
