DNA

1. DNA The real story

2. Rosalind Franklin “The dark lady of DNA”

3. Rosalind Franklin • Born in London, England July 25,1920 • Graduated from Newnham College 1941 • Earned a doctorate in physical chemistry from Cambridge University 1945 • Died in London, England April 16, 1958 of ovarian cancer

4. From 1947-1950 Franklin learned the technique of X-ray diffraction • 1950 began work at Kings College • 1951-1953 was Rosalind’s prime time for working on the DNA project • Took the famous photograph entitled photo 51

5. “Photo 51” • This photograph which looks like an X showed that DNA was actually in the shape of a helix

6. Franklin was the first to discover that DNA was a helical molecule • First to extract very fine DNA fibers and work with them • Would only publish her work when she felt she had all the evidence and data to support her theory

7. Controversy • The main controversy was not the discovery of what DNA looked like or what it was made of • The real controversy was WHO actually discovered what DNA was shaped like and what it looked like

8. At the time Rosalind was in school it was inappropriate for a woman to have any education at the college level or work with men in the college • She was partnered with Maurice Wilkins who was in close relation with Francis Crick and James Watson

9. Maurice Wilkins would secretly go through Rosalind’s work and papers which lead to the discovery that DNA was helical and what it was made of. Wilkins would later show how much he hated working with a woman This is a letter that Wilkins wrote Crick “I think you will be interested to know that our dark lady leaves us next week…I am now reasonably clear of other commitments and have started up a general offensive on Nature’s secret strongholds…At least the decks are clear and we can put all hands to the pumps!” It won’t be long now. Regards to all Yours ever M

10. After Wilkins showed Franklins work to Watson a few papers were almost immediately published. These papers included Franklins x-ray diffraction pictures, her work, and her discoveries yet there was only one sentence in the papers that mentioned her.

11. When the papers were published not much was said except that it was a break through for the science world • Franklin never had a clue that her work was being used because it was never missing or stolen • However her story was soon known but not soon enough.

12. In 1962 James Watson, Francis Crick, and Maurice Wilkins received the Noble Prize for the double-helix model of DNA. Later James Watson wrote a book “The Double Helix” which told the story of Franklin along with several other books. Example “The Dark Lady of DNA” by Brenda Maddox

13. In the classroom: This will be used as in introduction into a DNA lab. It gives the students a different side of DNA and how it came about

14. Biology • Competency Goal 2 The learner will develop an understanding of the continuity of life and the changes of organisms over time.  Objectives • 2.01 Analyze the molecular basis of heredity/DNA including: • 2.04 Assess the application of DNA technology to forensics, medicine, and agriculture. • 2.05 Analyze and explain the role of genetics and environment in health and disease.

15. Resources Websites: http://www.ncpublicschools.org http://www.sdsc.edu/ScienceWomen/franklin.html http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aso/databank/entries/bofran.html Articles: The Lancet: The elusive life of Rosalind Franklin Volume 360, Issue 9350 EBSCOhost: Title: Rosalind Franklin: Controversy and Discovery.,  By: Farrell, Courtney, Rosalind E Franklin, 2006Database: MasterFILE Premier Title: Rosalind Franklin: X-Ray Diffraction and DNA.,  By: Farrell, Courtney, Rosalind E Franklin, 2006Database: MasterFILE Premier DVD: The Secret Life of DNA Book: Maddox, Brenda. Rosalind Franklin - The Dark Lady of DNA. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 2002.