Maurice wilkins

21 Feb 2019

What did Wilkins and Franklin discover about DNA?

Concept 19 The DNA molecule is shaped like a twisted ladder. James Watson and Francis Crick solved the structure of DNA. Other scientists, like Rosalind Franklin and Maurice Wilkins, also contributed to this discovery 8






Why was the discovery of DNA so important?

The discovery in 1953 of the double helix, the twisted-ladder structure of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), by James Watson and Francis Crick marked a milestone in the history of science and gave rise to modern molecular biology, which is largely concerned with understanding how genes control the chemical processes within.

After completing his doctorate, Wilkins was recruited to the Ministry of Home Security and Aircraft production, where he deployed his skills for improving cathode-ray tube screens for radar. Wilkins then moved on to working with Oliphant on the mass spectrograph separation of uranium isotope for use in bombs. Following this, Wilkins moved with Oliphant to Berkley, California, to work on the Manhattan Project, helping in the development of the nuclear bomb. Horrified by the effects of the bomb in Nagasaki and Hiroshima, Wilkins resolved after the War to move into another branch of science that had more positive applications. In 1945 he returned to Britain to join Randall at St Andrew's University in Scotland, where he was appointed assistant lecturer. Wilkins moved with Randall to King's College in 1946, becoming his assistant director for the newly formed Biophysics Unit. It was here that Wilkins began his research into the development of X-ray crystallography for biological research. In 1950 Wilkins started focusing his research on DNA. This was to lay the foundation for determining the structure of DNA in 1953.

In 1962 Wilkins was awarded the Nobel Prize with Francis Crick and James Watson for his contribution to the elucidation of the structure of DNA. Wilkins had been involved in the formative x-ray diffraction work on DNA and was responsible for showing the first crystalline symmetrical patterns of DNA. This work inspired James Watson to see the possibilities of studying the structure of DNA in 1951. Wilkins was also responsible for alerting Watson and Crick to the key x-ray diffraction photograph taken by Rosalind Franklin which helped in their building of the model of the double-helix of DNA that they published in 1953. He was also instrumental in the painstaking process necessary for checking the validity of the model proposed by Watson and Crick. In addition to his scientific research, Wilkins took the lead in getting scientists to explore the social responsibilities of scientists and was elected the first President of the British Society for Social Responsibility in Science. The society has played a pivotal role in debating issues such as the potential use of genetics in biological warfare and helping to promote a wider public understanding of science.