Watson, Crick, Franklin and Wilkins.

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Question 23 (7 marks):

James Watson, Francis Crick, Rosalind Franklin and Maurice Wilkins were important scientists in determining the structure of DNA. With reference to their work, discuss the role of collaboration and effective communication in scientific research.

Answer away!

[hermine]

Briefly:

Rosalind Franklin + Maurice Wilkins > King’s College London
James Watson + Francis Crick > Cambridge University

Early 1950s
 Rosalind Franklin – woman working in male dominated field
- Deduced DNA helical structure through X-Ray crystallography of DNA crystals
- Wished to gather more evidence however

 Maurice Wilkins – working on similar study
- showed Franklin’s results to Watson and Crick without permission or knowledge

 Watson and Crick – also working on similar studies
- encouraged with results to develop 3D model of DNA: double helix strand, alternating sugar and phosphate groups linked by base pairs, 2 DNA strands are complementary.

Franklin died 1958 – Watson, Crick and Wilkins received Nobel Prize for their work in 1962

Professional antagonism between Franklin and Wilkins = did not discuss findings effectively, individual attempts hindered
Watson and Crick collaborated with Wilkins to piece together a final model

If the four scientists had communicated and collaborated effectively, structure would have been determined faster
Overall discoveries regardless were significant advance in research/understanding of DNA