Today in History: Discovery of the Chemical Structure of DNA, Revolutionizing the Study of Medical Biology All

KOMPAS.com – Today 69 years ago, Cambridge University scientists James D Watson and Francis HC Crick have discovered the structure of the double helix DNA on February 28, 1958.

This is a molecule that contains human genes.

This discovery was helped significantly by the work of another DNA researcher, Rosalind Franklin, although she was not included in the announcement.

What is DNA?

DNA (Deoxybribonucleic Acid) or deoxyribonucleic acid is a kind of nucleic acid belonging to the main biomolecule that stores the genetic instructions of every organism and some viruses.

DNA is located inside the cell. DNA also determines the nature of the inherited organism.

Reported by the Encyclopaedia Britannica (2015), DNA is an organic chemical of complex molecular structure found in all prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells and in many viruses. DNA encodes genetic information for the transmission of inherited traits.

DNA discovery

Quoted from Historyalthough DNA was discovered in 1869, its important role in determining genetic inheritance was not demonstrated until 1943.

In the early 1950s, Watson and Crick were just two of many scientists working to discover the structure of DNA.

Californian chemist Linus Pauling suggested the wrong model as early as 1953, prompting Watson and Crick to beat him.

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Structure DNA

On the morning of February 28, 1953, they determined that the structure of DNA was a double helix polymer, or spiral of two DNA strands.

Each contains a long chain of monomeric nucleotides and is wrapped around each other.

According to their findings, DNA replicates itself by separating into individual strands, each of which becomes the template for a new double helix.

In his best-selling book, The Double Helix (1968), Watson later claimed that Crick announced the discovery by walking to the nearby Eagle Pub.

He then claims to have discovered the secret of life.

The claim is not just a hoax, this finding has solved a fundamental mystery of science, namely how it is possible that genetic instructions are stored in organisms and passed down from generation to generation.

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Revolutionizing the study of biology and medicine

Watson and Crick’s findings were officially announced on April 25, 1953 after they were published in the magazine Nature.

The article even revolutionized the study of biology and medicine.

Among the developments that followed directly from the findings were prenatal screening for disease genes, genetically modified diets, and the ability to identify human remains.

In addition, the findings also allow for rational treatment of diseases such as AIDS and accurate testing of physical evidence to convict or acquit criminals.

Unfortunately, the two scientists later clashed after Crick accused Watson of misrepresenting his collaboration.

An even greater controversy has arisen over the use of results from work done by another DNA researcher, Rosalind Franklin.

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Before making their findings, Maurice Wilkins showed Watson and Crick X-ray photography of Franklin.

The photographic image determined that the DNA molecule was in a helical conformation.

When Crick and Watson won the Nobel Prize in 1962, they shared it with Wilkins.

However, Franklin did not qualify for the award because he died in 1956 of ovarian cancer.

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