Journey of the woman who revealed the unknowns of DNA
Rosalind Franklin (1920-1958) was a pioneering scientist who discovered the DNA structure, advanced the field of virology, and helped break gender barriers in science. Born in London, England, Franklin studied physical chemistry at Newnham College, where she researched carbon and steel. After earning her doctorate from Cambridge University, Rosalind began focusing on X-ray diffraction technology, a field that laid the foundation for her groundbreaking discoveries (1).
Throughout her life, Franklin’s research mainly centered on revealing the complex structures of DNA. At King’s College, London, she developed experimental techniques to improve the accuracy of structural DNA data. She discovered the two forms of DNA, A (crystalline) and B (paracrystalline), which could switch form by simply changing the humidity. In addition, Franklin realized that DNA stores base sequences and contains the instructions to create proteins. Above all, the pivotal moment in her career was the production and release of Photograph 51, an image of DNA’s B form, which revealed DNA’s helical structure for the first time. These contributions were crucial in building the first accurate model of DNA, which was presented by Watson and Crick. Her research set the groundwork for molecular biology and virology, leaving lasting effects in structural biology (2). Still, Franklin faced significant challenges as she had to work alone and did not receive appropriate credit for her work, most of which went to her male colleagues.
Sadly, Franklin died at the age of 37 and was not able to see the full application of her work. Since her death, she has received recognition and awards for uncovering the structure of DNA (4). By overcoming adversity and challenges to advance molecular biology, Rosalind became a role model for women pursuing careers in STEM.
Sources:
- The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica. (2025, September 24). Rosalind Franklin, Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Rosalind-Franklin
- Cobb, M., Comfort, N. (2023, April 25). What Rosalind Franklin truly contributed to the discovery of DNA’s structure, Nature. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-023-01313-5
- (2020, July 25). A lasting legacy. Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science. https://www.rosalindfranklin.edu/rf100/legacy.html
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