Francis Crick

Francis Crick (8 June 1916 – 28 July 2004) was a British molecular biologist, biophysicist, and neuroscientist. He is most noted for being a co-discoverer of the structure of the DNA molecule in 1953 with James Watson. He, Watson, and Maurice Wilkins were jointly awarded the 1962 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine "for their discoveries concerning the molecular structure of nucleic acids and its significance for information transfer in living material".

Early Life and Education

Francis Crick was born on 8 June 1916 in Northampton, England. He studied physics at University College London and later worked as a scientist for the British Admiralty during World War II. After the war, he studied biology.

Career and Research

In 1947, Crick began studying biology and became part of an important group of researchers at the Cavendish Laboratory at the University of Cambridge. It was here that he and James Watson discovered the structure of DNA in 1953. Their work built upon the findings of other scientists, including those of Rosalind Franklin and Maurice Wilkins.

Crick also proposed the sequence hypothesis and the central dogma of molecular biology, which are foundational to our understanding of genetics and the function of cells.

Later Life and Death

In his later years, Crick shifted his research focus to neuroscience and attempted to advance the scientific understanding of human consciousness. He died of colon cancer on 28 July 2004.

Legacy

Crick's work has had a profound impact on the field of biology, particularly in the study of genetics and the understanding of the human genome. His contributions to science and his influence on the field continue to be recognized and celebrated.

See Also

• DNA
• James Watson
• Maurice Wilkins
• Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
• Rosalind Franklin
• Cavendish Laboratory
• University of Cambridge
• University College London

References

Francis Crick Resources
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