Rosalind Franklin referred to her greatest discovery as the elucidation of the molecular structures of DNA, RNA, viruses, coal, and graphite. However, it is widely recognized that her work on DNA—particularly the famous Photo 51—was crucial in uncovering the double helix structure of DNA. Despite her significant contributions, Franklin’s work was often overlooked during her lifetime.
Photo 51 was an X-ray diffraction image of DNA that provided key evidence for understanding the helical nature of DNA. This image was used by James Watson and Francis Crick in their model of DNA’s structure. Franklin’s meticulous work in crystallography and her detailed analysis of the data led to this pivotal moment in molecular biology, even if she did not receive the credit she deserved at the time.
While she may not have labeled it as her ‘greatest discovery’ in a formal sense, the impact of her research on the understanding of the genetic blueprint of life certainly marks a monumental achievement in science, highlighting the importance of her role in the discovery of DNA’s structure.