Nobel Prize-winning scientist James Watson, who co-discovered the double-helix structure of DNA in 1953 with Francis Crick, has passed away at the age of 97.

Nobel Prize-winning scientist James Watson, who co-discovered the double-helix structure of DNA in 1953 with Francis Crick, has passed away at the age of 97.
The renowned biologist passed away at a hospice in Long Island, New York, the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory announced, where he spent most of his career.

Full form of DNA

The full form of DNA is Deoxyribonucleic Acid. In Hindi, it is called Deoxyribonucleic Amil. DNA is a molecule that contains the genetic instructions for the development of an organism and stores genetic information in the body.
This groundbreaking discovery, for which Watson, Crick, and Maurice Wilkins received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1962, revolutionized the field of molecular biology.

About James Watson

Born in Chicago in 1928, Watson studied at the University of Chicago before continuing his research at Cambridge, where he, along with Crick, used Rosalind Franklin’s X-ray images to determine the structure of DNA.
This marked the beginning of a new era of modern life, leading to revolutionary techniques in medicine, forensics, and genetics—from criminal DNA testing to genetically modified plants.
Later, Watson taught at Harvard University and served as the director of the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, where he helped transform the institution into a world-leading research center.
However, Watson’s later career was marked by controversy due to his remarks on race and intelligence, leading to his dismissal as chancellor of the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and the revocation of many of his honorary titles.
In 2014, Watson again made headlines when he sold his Nobel Prize medal for 4.8 million dollars, citing his ostracism from the scientific community. Despite his controversies, Watson’s contributions to the field of genetics remain significant and continue to shape the study of biology today.