Rosalind Franklin

X-ray crystallographer whose Photo 51 revealed the helical structure of DNA.

Core Principles & Analysis

• Her X-ray diffraction image Photo 51 revealed DNA's helical structure.
• Established that DNA's phosphate backbone lies on the outside of the helix.
• Later produced pioneering structural studies of tobacco mosaic virus and poliovirus.

Specifications & Metrics

• ERA: 1920 – 1958