Watson and Crick 

Francis Crick and James Watson was a pair of scientist who discovered the structure of DNA, they uncover the double helix nature. Francis Crick studied physics and received a BS degree in that branch of science. However Crick was interested in biology and decided to focus on the effects of x-ray on proteins. James Watson studied the effect of x-ray on bacteria in the Indiana University and received a degree in zoology. When the two met, which was by chance, they discovered that they both wanted to uncover a gene’s true structure. In 1953, after many experiments with paste and cardboard, they finally figured out that DNA was composed of two double-helical configurations, however no matter what they did; it always ended up as a ladder shape. They couldn’t figure what shape was the perfect figure that allowed genetic information to be protected. They found their missing puzzle when they saw Franklin’s work and knew that the secret was that the double helical configuration had to be twisted. Their founding explained how DNA replicates and how hereditary and genetic information are coded on the DNA.  In 1962, Crick and Watson won the Nobel Prize in Medicine for discovering the structure of DNA, which became one of the most important discoveries of the 20^th century. Crick then continued to work in genetic field and later moved into brain research. On the other hand, Watson, at the American National Institutes of Health, became the director of the Human Genome Project there.

     "BBC - History - Historic Figures: Watson and Crick (1928- )." BBC - Homepage. Web. 08 Feb. 2012. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/watson_and_crick.shtml>.