The names James Watson and Francis Crick aren't exactly known in every household, but these two scientists have profoundly influenced our lives. They were the first people to describe the double helix structure of deoxyribose nucleic acid, better known to us as DNA. Their efforts garnered them the 1962 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. Because of them we now have a much deeper understanding of how the human body works.
Early History
James Watson was born in Chicago in 1928. He was a bright boy who was able to attend college early at the age of 15. He graduated from the University of Chicago with a degree in zoology, as his childhood interest had focused around birds. In 1950 he received his Ph.D. in the field from Indiana University. In his doctoral work, he began studying bacteria. During this study he became interested in the structure of DNA.
Francis Crick was born in 1918 in Northampton, England. He studied physics in college, earning a degree from University College. He became interested in X-ray diffraction on proteins, a subject that also fascinated Watson. Crick lacked a knowledge of organic chemistry, so he spent 1947 researching the field. At that time, Crick proposed the double helix structure of DNA.
The Search for DNA
Watson and Crick met in 1951 and the two soon realized they were joined by a common goal: DNA research aimed at defining the structure of genetic material. In 1953 the two were able to prove the double-helix structure of DNA by using X-ray diffraction techniques. Their work was praised by the scientific community and they were awarded the Nobel Prize in 1962.
Much of our lives now revolves around DNA sequencing. We use it to better understand ourselves and our families, through the study of hereditary disease. We use it to trace the evolution of human life. We even use it in our legal systems to uphold the law. Without Watson and Crick's pioneering research, the structure of DNA might still be a mystery.
By describing the structure of DNA, Watson and Crick gave science a way to analyze genetic material and understand its chemical composition. Their work led directly to the Human Genome Project, headed by Dr. Watson, which successfully mapped the genetic sequence of human DNA, offering new insights into how our bodies form and the promise of new medical treatments for inherited illnesses.
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