DNA The structure of DNA proposed by William Astbury and Florence Bell in 1938 The first 3D structure of DNA was published in 1938. It was generated by Florence Bell, a scientist you need to know.
Breakthroughs Contrary to popular belief, there are 21 amino acids and the 21st was discovered in 1976 You might have been told that there are 20 amino acids. That’s a lie.
Genetics If only Ponce de Leon had known about IL-11 Who knew that the fountain of youth was as simple as blocking inflammatory signaling through IL-11?
Genomic Sequencing Frederick Sanger sequenced the first DNA genome, he didn't use 'Sanger Sequencing' to do it Frederick Sanger invented a famous DNA sequencing method. It's not the one pictured below (which he also invented).
Breakthroughs Defenders from the sea: Our bloody history with horseshoe crabs Horseshoe crab blood is our first line of defense against endotoxin contamination of surgical tools and medical devices. Seriously.
Breakthroughs mRNA vaccines almost weren't a thing It is estimated that COVID-19 vaccination has prevented over 20 million deaths worldwide. We can thank the dogged perseverance of a browbeaten scientist for that.
Breakthroughs Insulin: It was believed to exist, but everyone who tried to isolate it failed The path to insulin isolation was anything but straight.
