# Francis Crick

> British molecular biologist, biophysicist, neuroscientist; co-discoverer of the structure of DNA

**Wikidata**: [Q123280](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q123280)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Crick)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/francis-crick

## Summary

Francis Crick was born June 8, 1916, in Northampton.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] He held citizenship in the United Kingdom.[4] His occupations included biologist, geneticist, physicist, neuroscientist, biochemist, and molecular biologist.[4]He was educated at University College London, Gonville and Caius College, Mill Hill School, and University of Cambridge.[11] His fields included molecular biology, deoxyribonucleic acid, physics, and neuroscience.[12] He was employed by University of Cambridge, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, and New York University Tandon School of Engineering.[11][13]His awards included Fellow of the Royal Society, Albert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research, Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, Order of Merit, Copley Medal, and Royal Medal.[11][14][15][16][17] He was a member of the Royal Society, German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, French Academy of Sciences, and American Academy of Arts and Sciences.[4] He died July 28, 2004, in La Jolla, and the cause of death was colorectal cancer.[18][1][2][3][4][19][6][9][10][4].

## Summary
Francis Crick was a British molecular biologist, biophysicist, and neuroscientist who co-discovered the structure of DNA with James Watson and Maurice Wilkins in 1953. His work revolutionized genetics and laid the foundation for modern molecular biology, influencing fields ranging from medicine to biotechnology.

## Biography
- Born: June 8, 1916, in Northampton, England
- Nationality: British
- Education:
  - Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge (BA, 1937)
  - University of Cambridge (PhD, 1941)
- Known for: Co-discovering the double-helix structure of DNA
- Employer(s):
  - University College London (1947–1953)
  - Salk Institute for Biological Studies (1953–1956)
  - New York University Tandon School of Engineering (1956–2004)
- Field(s): Molecular biology, biophysics, neuroscience

## Contributions
- Co-discovered the structure of DNA with James Watson and Maurice Wilkins in 1953, publishing their findings in *Nature* (April 25, 1953). This breakthrough provided the molecular basis for heredity and revolutionized genetics.
- Developed the central dogma of molecular biology, which describes the flow of genetic information from DNA to RNA to protein.
- Co-authored *On Protein Synthesis* (1958) with Sydney Brenner and others, detailing the process of protein synthesis in cells.
- Advocated for the use of physical principles in understanding biological systems, founding the field of biophysics.
- Contributed to neuroscience by studying the molecular basis of neural function and memory.

## FAQs
### What was Francis Crick's most significant scientific achievement?
Francis Crick's most significant achievement was co-discovering the double-helix structure of DNA with James Watson and Maurice Wilkins in 1953. This discovery provided the molecular basis for heredity and laid the foundation for modern molecular biology.

### Where did Francis Crick conduct his groundbreaking DNA research?
Francis Crick conducted his groundbreaking DNA research at the University College London (1947–1953), where he collaborated with James Watson and Maurice Wilkins to solve the structure of DNA.

### What is the central dogma of molecular biology, and who helped develop it?
The central dogma of molecular biology describes the flow of genetic information from DNA to RNA to protein. Francis Crick played a key role in developing this concept, which was later formalized in his work on protein synthesis.

### How did Francis Crick contribute to the field of neuroscience?
Francis Crick contributed to neuroscience by studying the molecular basis of neural function and memory, applying physical principles to understand biological systems.

### What awards and honors did Francis Crick receive for his work?
Francis Crick received numerous awards and honors, including the Albert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research (1962), the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (1962), the Order of Merit (1978), and the Copley Medal (1984).

## Why They Matter
Francis Crick's discovery of the DNA structure was a landmark achievement that transformed genetics and molecular biology. His work provided the foundation for understanding heredity, leading to breakthroughs in medicine, biotechnology, and genetic engineering. The central dogma he helped develop remains a cornerstone of modern biology. Crick's interdisciplinary approach, combining physics and biology, influenced generations of scientists. His contributions to neuroscience also advanced our understanding of neural function. Without Crick's work, fields like molecular biology, genetics, and neuroscience would not have progressed as rapidly. His legacy continues to inspire research in these areas.

## Notable For
- Co-discoverer of the DNA double-helix structure (1953)
- Developer of the central dogma of molecular biology
- Co-author of *On Protein Synthesis* (1958)
- Pioneer in biophysics and neuroscience
- Recipient of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (1962)
- Honored with the Order of Merit (1978) and the Copley Medal (1984)
- Founding figure in the field of molecular biology

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Francis Crick was born on June 8, 1916, in Northampton, England. He attended the Northampton School for Boys and later studied at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1937. He continued his studies at the University of Cambridge, earning a Doctor of Philosophy degree in 1941.

### Career and Research
Crick began his career at the University College London in 1947, where he collaborated with James Watson and Maurice Wilkins to solve the structure of DNA. Their groundbreaking work was published in *Nature* on April 25, 1953, providing the molecular basis for heredity. This discovery revolutionized genetics and laid the foundation for modern molecular biology.

Crick's work extended beyond DNA structure. He developed the central dogma of molecular biology, which describes the flow of genetic information from DNA to RNA to protein. He co-authored *On Protein Synthesis* (1958) with Sydney Brenner and others, detailing the process of protein synthesis in cells.

### Contributions to Biophysics and Neuroscience
Crick's interdisciplinary approach combined physics and biology, founding the field of biophysics. He applied physical principles to understand biological systems, contributing to neuroscience by studying the molecular basis of neural function and memory.

### Awards and Honors
Crick received numerous awards and honors for his groundbreaking work, including the Albert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research (1962), the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (1962), the Order of Merit (1978), and the Copley Medal (1984).

### Legacy and Influence
Francis Crick's discovery of the DNA structure and his contributions to molecular biology, biophysics, and neuroscience have had a profound impact on science. His work laid the foundation for modern genetics, medicine, and biotechnology. Crick's legacy continues to inspire research in these fields, ensuring his place as one of the most influential scientists of the 20th century.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.biography.com/people/francis-crick-9261484)
2. Czech National Authority Database
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5. [Francis Crick Biography](https://www.biography.com/people/francis-crick-9261484)
6. [Francis Harry Compton Crick 1916-2004. Salk Institute for Biological Studies. 2004](https://www.salk.edu/news-release/francis-harry-compton-crick-1916-2004/)
7. [1960 Winners. Lasker Foundation](http://www.laskerfoundation.org/awards/1960basic.htm)
8. [The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 1962](http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/medicine/laureates/1962/)
9. [The Nobel Prize amounts](https://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/about/amounts/)
10. [Award winners : Copley Medal. Royal Society](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1dsunM9ukGLgaW3HdG9cvJ_QKd7pWjGI0qi_fCb1ROD4/pubhtml?gid=1336391689&single=true)
11. [Source](https://genetics.org.uk/medals-and-prizes/genetics-society-medals-and-lectures/mendel-medal/)
12. International Standard Name Identifier
13. Virtual International Authority File
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18. Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana
19. Proleksis Encyclopedia
20. Croatian Encyclopedia
21. Francis Harry Compton Crick. La France savante
22. [DNA Scientist Francis Crick Dies at 88. Associated Press. 2004](http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=624&ncid=753&e=2&u=/ap/20040729/ap_on_sc/obit_crick)
23. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
24. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
25. Google Books
26. Nomination Database. nobelprize.org
27. BBC Things
28. La France savante
29. Quora
30. LIBRIS. 2012
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32. Catalogo of the National Library of India