5 Jan 2016

Playwright Anna Ziegler

From Summer Noelle, 9:08 am on 5 January 2016
Photo 51: DNA X-ray diffraction image

Photo 51: DNA X-ray diffraction image Photo: Rosalind Franklin

Science students will know the name of New Zealand-born Nobel Prize-winning physicist Maurice Wilkins. He shared the prize with James Watson and Francis Crick for their work to unlock the mystery of DNA. Rosalind Franklin's name might not be so familiar, but most experts agree her work with Wilkins at Kings College in London made it possible to crack DNA. She worked on the x-ray image of DNA 'Photograph 51'. Her overlooked role is the basis for a successful play called Photograph 51. Nicole Kidman won at the 2015 London Evening Standard theatre awards for her portrayal of Rosalind Franklin in the West End play. The story of Rosalind Franklin has also been on stage in New York and Washington DC.

Playwright Anna Ziegler explains to Noelle McCarthy the story behind Photograph 51.

Rosalind Franklin

Rosalind Franklin Photo: © Copyright Robin Stott and licensed for reuse under CC BY-SA 2.0

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