Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Maurice Wilkins was a molecular biologist and biophysicist who contributed significantly to the discovery of the DNA double helix structure. He shared the 1962 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with Watson and Crick.
5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test
Maurice Wilkins worked at King's College London where he conducted X-ray diffraction studies of DNA.
He collaborated closely with Rosalind Franklin, whose X-ray images were critical to understanding DNA’s structure.
Wilkins' work provided key evidence that helped Watson and Crick propose the double helix model of DNA.
He was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1962 for his contributions to the discovery of DNA's structure.
His research laid foundational principles for molecular genetics and biotechnology.
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Related terms
DNA Double Helix: The twisted-ladder structure of deoxyribonucleic acid discovered by Watson, Crick, and others.
X-ray Diffraction: A technique used by scientists like Wilkins and Franklin to study molecular structures by observing scattering patterns.
Rosalind Franklin: A scientist whose X-ray diffraction images were crucial in identifying the structure of DNA.