Photo 51

Photo 51 is an X-ray diffraction image of DNA, which was taken by Rosalind Franklin and Raymond Gosling in May 1952. The image provided key insights into the structure of DNA and was a crucial piece of evidence that led James Watson and Francis Crick to develop their model of the double helix structure of DNA.

Pronunciation

Pho-to 51 (/'fəʊtəʊ 'fɪfti wʌn/)

Etymology

The term "Photo 51" is derived from the fact that it was the 51st diffraction photograph that Franklin and Gosling took of hydrated B form DNA.

Related Terms

• X-ray crystallography
• Molecular biology
• Genetics
• Nucleic acid double helix
• Watson-Crick Model

Description

Photo 51 is an X-ray diffraction image that was taken by Rosalind Franklin and Raymond Gosling in 1952 while they were working at King's College London. The image was produced by directing a beam of X-rays at a fibre of DNA and then capturing the pattern of scattered X-rays on film. This technique is known as X-ray crystallography.

The image revealed a dark cross of dots, the pattern of which suggested a helical structure. This was a crucial piece of evidence in identifying the structure of DNA. James Watson and Francis Crick, working at the University of Cambridge, used this image (without Franklin's knowledge or permission) to develop their model of the double helix structure of DNA, for which they, along with Maurice Wilkins, received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1962.

Significance

Photo 51 is often considered one of the most important photographs in the history of biology and genetics. It played a crucial role in the discovery of the structure of DNA, which has had profound implications for our understanding of genetics and has paved the way for advances in molecular biology, biotechnology, and medicine.

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Photo 51
• Wikipedia's article - Photo 51

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