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Friedrich Miescher
Miescher determined that DNA is not a protein and contains Nitrogen and Phosphorous. However, he never learned it's function, or how said function differs from proteins. -
Frederick Griffith
He discovered the effect of DNA on cellular function and that live DNA can alter future generations in dead organisms. His experiments with mice and encapsulated and non encapsulated DNA led to his discoveries about genetics and how they directly produce the traits in organisms. -
Linus Pauling
He researched sickle cell anemia at the molecular genetics level and discovered that the abnormality in sickle cells was from the proteins produced. His research into the issue/disease led to the publishing of over 1,200 papers and books. He was the husband of Ava Helen Pauling, a humanitarian public figure. -
Oswald Avery, Maclyn McCarty & Colin McCleod
Together, they showed that the base of DNA was not protein but a separate molecule.The Transforming factor in Griffith's experiments was proven as a nucleic acid. Avery was one of the very first microbiologists. -
Barbara McClintock
Barbara McClintock developed a theory that there existed elements regulate the genes, controlling their function. This explained how cells with the same genetic code performed different functions within the organism. She had a PhD in botany from Cornell university. -
Erwin Chargaff
Developed two main rules for genetics: Guanine units equals cytosine units and adenine units must equal the number of thymine units. These patterns vary rather than the repeated TCAG base idea proposed before. After Crick, Watson and Wilkins won the Nobel prize he went into exclusion. -
Alfred Hershey & Martha Chase
The experiments of Hershey and Chase determined DNA was genetic material. They showed that genetic material from a bacteriophage, traced with a radioactive marker, entered the nucleus of a cell that reproduced bacteriophages. Thus DNA must be what new organisms are formed from. Hershey received the Nobel Prize for his work and discoveries. -
Rosalind Franklin & Maurice Wilkins
Rosalind Franklin used x-ray crystallography to take Photo 51, the photo that Maurice Wilkins used as evidence that DNA had a helical structure. However, the credit he gave to Franklin stated that she had been working off of his findings, when the opposite was true. Sadly Franklin was no longer around to contradict him, for she had died from cancer at the age of 37. -
James Watson and Francis Crick
Watson and Crick developed an accurate model of the helical shape of the DNA molecule using the experiments of Rosalind Franklin and photo 51. However, as was the case with Maurice Wilkins she was not given the credit she deserved. Franklin had pointed out the errors in past designs and the model was a direct product of her work. -
Matthew Meselson & Franklin Stahl
Meselson and Stahl showed that DNA replicates semi-conservatively, and there are two types of DNA. There is heavy nitrogen based DNA, with N-4 molecules, and heavy nitrogen based DNA with N-5 molecules. -
Paul Berg
Berg developed a technique for splicing two DNA strands together. This was the beginning of recombinant technology. Genetic engineering, which has many uses in science and agriculture, uses this technology. Paul Berg knew from a young age he wanted to be a scientist, fascinated with books such Microbe Hunters, a personal favorite. -
Frederick Sanger
Frederick Sanger developed a method which allowed DNA to be extracted into its complementary strand and then sequenced. An explanatory video is linked below. He won two Nobel prizes for his work in chemistry. His later research included the study of the Insulin molecule. Link text -
Kary Mullis
Mullis developed polymer chain reactions which amplified certain sequences of DNA. A substance can be added and the presence of the desired DNA strand can be determined quickly and cheaply. This is groundbreaking in many fields of science, including forensics. Mullis has stated that heavy use of LSD contributed to his discoveries. -
J. Craig Venter
Venter worked on mapping the human genome. He raced against other companies to release a complete map of the genes in human cells and succeeded, with the Human Genome Project, released February 15th, 2001. He has also developed genetically modified microorganisms which help produce bio fuels.
