Contents

Discovery of DNA Structure and Function: Watson and Crick

The landmark ideas of Watson and Crick relied heavily on the work of other scientists. What did the duo actually discover?

Molecular structure of nucleic acids: A structure for deoxyribose nucleic acid

This highly readable, classic paper describes the Nobel-Prize-winning discovery of the structure of the DNA molecule. In the paper, James Watson and Francis Crick write plainly about what was wrong with the hypothetical DNA structures being debated in the early 1950s and carry the reader step by step through the chemical puzzling they did to arrive at the correct structure. They also share their insight about how base pairing has enormous implications for the precise replication of DNA.

Chemical Structure of RNA

The more researchers examine RNA, the more surprises they continue to uncover. What have we learned about RNA structure and function so far?

DNA Replication and Causes of Mutation

Cells employ an arsenal of editing mechanisms to correct mistakes made during DNA replication. How do they work, and what happens when these systems fail?

Semi-Conservative DNA Replication: Meselson and Stahl

Watson and Crick's discovery of DNA structure in 1953 revealed a possible mechanism for DNA replication. So why didn't Meselson and Stahl finally explain this mechanism until 1958?

DNA Transcription

If DNA is a book, then how is it read? Learn more about the DNA transcription process, where DNA is converted to RNA, a more portable set of instructions for the cell.

Nucleic Acids to Amino Acids: DNA Specifies Protein

Hidden within the genetic code lies the "triplet code," a series of three nucleotides that determine a single amino acid. How did scientists discover and unlock this amino acid code?

Reading the Genetic Code

How can just four nitrogenous bases--adenine, cytosine, guanine, and uracil--possibly code for all 20 amino acids?

Discovering the Relationship Between DNA and Protein Production

What exactly is the relationship between genes and proteins, and what part did black urine play in revealing this mysterious and crucial connection?

RNA Functions

The central dogma of molecular biology suggests that the primary role of RNA is to convert the information stored in DNA into proteins. In reality, there is much more to the RNA story.

Small Non-coding RNA and Gene Expression

While we've been taught: don't shoot the messenger, our cells haven’t gotten the message. See how small bits of non-coding RNA target mRNA for destruction and regulate gene expression.