Rosalind Franklin

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English chemist and X-ray crystallographer, Rosalind Elsie Franklin

Rosalind Elsie Franklin (1920-1958) fue una química y cristalógrafa de rayos X inglesa cuya investigación fue fundamental para el descubrimiento de la estructura molecular del ADN, por el cual tres colegas varones del King's College de Londres ganaron el Premio Nobel de Fisiología o Medicina en 1962. El 25 de julio se cumple el centenario de su nacimiento.

Sus colegas masculinos —James Watson, Francis Crick y Maurice Wilkins— utilizaron datos inéditos de difracción de ADN que ella había recopilado sin su autorización para elaborar su modelo de la estructura helicoidal del ADN, por el cual fueron galardonados. El descubrimiento de la estructura del ADN marcó un punto de inflexión en la historia de la ciencia e inauguró la era moderna de la biología.

Franklin no pudo ser nominada al Premio Nobel junto con los tres hombres porque falleció en 1958 de cáncer de ovario, posiblemente a consecuencia de su trabajo con la radiación. El Comité del Nobel no otorgó, y sigue sin otorgar, premios póstumos. James Watson declaró posteriormente en una entrevista que Franklin debería haber recibido el Premio Nobel de Química. Los honores póstumos incluyen la designación de numerosos institutos y edificios académicos, premios, placas y estatuas.


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