Discovery of DNA: story behind a photo

DNA and story behind a photo DNA and story behind a photo

The photo of the original DNA model has become a scientific icon - yet the moment might never have been captured.

2003 is the 50th anniversary of one of the most important breakthroughs in science - the discovery of the DNA double helix by James Watson and Francis Crick in the Cavendish Laboratory, Cambridge in the spring of 1953. They deduced the double helix structure of the molecule and built the model of it seen in the photograph, helped by information from X-ray diffraction studies of DNA made by Rosalind Franklin and Maurice Williams at King's College, London. In 1962, Watson, Crick and Wilkins were awarded the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine for the discovery. (Franklin died in 1958 and therefore could not be awarded the prize).

A photograph of the pair with their original model of DNA, taken in May 1953 by Antony Barrington Brown, has become an icon of scientific discovery, marking the creation of the biotechnology industry. Yet the moment might never have been captured - the photograph was taken almost by chance.

Barrington Brown was living in Cambridge at the time, a young photographer mostly taking portraits of academics. He received a tip-off that someone at the Cavendish Laboratory had made an important discovery, and went to take a picture to go with a freelancer's story for Time magazine.

Barrington Brown recalls: "I knocked at the door of one of dozens of similar rooms where research students worked and was affably greeted by a couple of chaps lounging at a desk by the window, drinking coffee. "What's all this about?" I asked. With an airy wave of the hand one of them, Crick I think, said 'we've got this model' indicating an array of retort stands holding thin brass rods and balls. It meant absolutely nothing to me, so I set up my lights and camera and said 'you'd better stand by it and look portentous' which they lamentably failed to do, treating my efforts as a bit of a joke."

The photographs came out well and went off with the story to Time, but the magazine never published it and simply sent Barrington Brown a small fee for his efforts.

In science as in history, some events grow more important with time, as we realise the range and depth of consequences flowing from them. Watson and Crick were awarded the Nobel prize for physiology or medicine and Barrington Brown's photograph now hangs in the National Portrait Gallery in London.

To celebrate the discovery, Science Photo Gallery has produced a superb anniversary poster of Watson and Crick with their DNA model. The poster's text explains how the DNA double helix structure works, provides a short history of the discovery of the DNA structure, and gives biographies of James Watson and Francis Crick. Limited edition prints of the photograph, signed by Antony Barrington Brown, are also available.

For further information please contact please contact Maria Storey at mstorey@sciencephoto.com or visit the weblink below.

Science Photo Gallery
327-329 Harrow Road
London
W9 3RB
T: +44 20 7432 1100
F: +44 20 7286 8668
sciencephotogallery.co.uk

Text and image kindly provided by the Science Photo Library in 2003

Tags: General science, History

Members' area

Newsletter