[Deathwatch] Francis Crick, DNA co-discoverer, 88

[Deathwatch Central <cdw@slick.org>]

Francis Crick, DNA co-discoverer, dies
Thursday, July 29, 2004 Posted: 1:08 PM EDT (1708 GMT)

http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/science/07/29/people.crick.reut/index.html


(CNN) -- Francis Crick, who along with James Watson discovered the
double-helical structure of the DNA molecule, died Wednesday of colon
cancer. He was 88.

Crick and Watson, along with colleague Maurice Wilkins, were awarded
the 1962 Nobel Prize in Medicine for their ground-breaking work, which
many experts hailed as one of the most important scientific discoveries
of the last century.

DNA, sometimes called the blueprint of life, is the bio-agent
responsible for heredity, or the passing of traits from parent to
child. The discovery in 1953 of its double-helical structure gave birth
to the fields of genetic engineering and the biotechnology industry.

When Crick and Watson were scientists at Cambridge University in
England in the early 1950's, researchers knew that the nuclei of living
cells contained a biochemical called DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, but
little was known of its function or structure. The two men were
convinced that DNA was the key to understanding the mechanics of
heredity, but no one could figure out how it worked.

Building on the work of fellow scientist Rosalind Franklin, and using a
technique called x-ray diffraction, Crick and Watson showed that the
DNA molecule is shaped like a spiral staircase. Four different
chemicals make up the "steps" in the helix and repeat in various
sequences, forming a code. Stretches of the code, in turn, form genes,
which carry the blueprints for proteins. Known as the "workhorses" of
the cell, proteins carry out most of the functions of a living system.

"I will always remember Francis for his extraordinarily focused
intelligence and for the many ways he showed me kindness and developed
my self-confidence," said James Watson, in a written statement. "He
treated me as though I were a member of his family. Being with him for
two years in a small room in Cambridge was truly a privilege. I always
looked forward to being with him and speaking to him, up until the
moment of his death. He will be sorely missed."

Crick was trained as a physicist, not a biologist. He was working on
his Ph.D. in physics at University College in London, when World War II
began. He served as a scientist at the British Admiralty during the
war, designing mines.

When he returned to his studies at Cambridge after the war, he became
interested in what is now called molecular biology.

After the shower of fame that came with the double-helix discovery and
subsequent Nobel Prize, Crick continued his research at Cambridge
University's Medical Research Council, focusing on the genetics of
viruses, protein synthesis and embryology.

In 1977, he moved to La Jolla, Calif., where he served as president of
the Salk Institute for Biological Studies.

There, he turned his attention to the study of the brain and the nature
of consciousness.

He is survived by his wife, Odile Speed, three children, and four
grandchildren.