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By Rianna Tanase
Women have long played significant roles in scientific breakthroughs despite enduring historical and contemporary underrepresentation in the field.
While Watson and Crick are celebrated for discovering DNA's double helix, Rosalind Franklin, an X-ray crystallographer, made crucial contributions often overlooked. Her image, "photo 51," revealed DNA's
helical structure, providing essential data for Watson
and Crick's model. Watson, Crick and Wilkins were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1962, by which time Franklin had tragically died at the age of 37, leaving her work never properly recognised. This pattern of oversight persists in mainstream education, highlighting the need to recognize and celebrate women's contributions in science.
Dorothy Hodgkin, an esteemed X-ray crystallographer of the 20th century, made significant contributions to science throughout her career. In 1945, she elucidated the atomic structure of penicillin, aiding in the development of the antibiotic, which is crucial for treating bacterial infections. Her work extended to Vitamin B12, crucial for cellular metabolism, and culminated in the discovery of insulin's structure in 1969, enhancing diabetic treatments. Hodgkin's groundbreaking efforts
earned her the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1964, marking her as the sole British woman to receive this prestigious honor.
Barbara McClintock, an American scientist, revolutionized genetics through her trailblazing work, laying the groundwork for modern genetic advancements. In 1924, she developed a staining technique enabling the visualization and analysis of individual
chromosomes, a pivotal breakthrough for genetic research. McClintock's discovery of transposons, or "jumping genes," in 1944 challenged prevailing notions, eventually recognized as vital elements in genetic regulation. Initially dismissed as "junk," these elements were found to comprise 40% of the genome by the time McClintock was awarded the Nobel Prize in
Physiology or Medicine in 1983. Notably, McClintock was the first to propose the concept of epigenetics, highlighting genetic control beyond DNA sequences. This concept, now a major research area, especially in cancer, where epigenetic regulators serve as targets for therapy development, underscores McClintock's enduring influence on genetics.
Building upon Barbara McClintock's foundational work in genetics, biochemist Jennifer Doudna pioneered the revolutionary genome editing technology CRISPR-Cas9, which enables precise modifications to DNA.
In 2012, Doudna harnessed the bacterial CRISPR immune system, utilizing the Cas9 protein as "molecular scissors" guided by RNA to target and edit specific DNA sequences. This development offers a simple yet powerful tool for editing genomes, holding immense potential for disease treatment. Human trials for CRISPR-Cas9 therapies, such as those
targeting blindness, underscore its therapeutic promise. However, the ethical implications of genome editing, including debates over research involving human embryos and concerns about "designer babies," remain notable considerations in its
application.
All these female scientists have been pioneers in their field, making key discoveries that have driven science forwards. They should be recognised and celebrated!
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