Rosalind Franklin

With this app students learn about the life and contributions to biological chemistry made by Rosalind Franklin. It discusses her work using X-ray crystallography to reveal the molecular structure of the DNA molecule.

Rosalind Franklin was born in London, England in 1920. Her father was a banker and able to provide Rosalind with the benefits of a good education. Rosalind was accepted to Newnham Women's College at Cambridge University when she was 18 years old. She focused her studies on physics and chemistry.

In 1944 it was discovered that the DNA molecule found in the nucleus of cells is the mechanism for heredity. It is through DNA that organisms pass on certain biological traits to the next generations. Scientists needed to understand the structure of DNA in order to better explain how it functioned. Rosalind Franklin used x-ray crystallography to create a photograph that led to an understanding of the structure of DNA.

Students will enjoy using this graphically illustrated, interactive learning tool. The timeline feature presents key events in the development of our modern understanding of the structure and composition biological molecules, DNA in particular. Tapping on a point on the timeline brings up a description of a historically significant event and the role the Rosalind Franklin played. A quiz function helps students demonstrate their comprehension of the reading material. Key science concepts are shown in colorful illustrations. We hope this app will inspire students to study science. The app shows that Rosalind Franklin certainly deserves the place she has earned in the history of science