Geneticists that Changed Our Lives

Ruth Sager – February 7, 1918- March 29, 1997

A geneticist coming from America, Ruth Sager is known for her discovery in the 1950s-1960s of cytoplasmic genetics. A decade later in the 1970s, she investigated cancer genetics and the roles of tumour suppressor genes. In 1988, she was also awarded the Gilbert Morgan Smith Medal “in recognition of excellence in published research on marine or freshwater algae.”

Barbara McClintock

Beginning her scientific career at Cornell University, American scientist Barbara McClintock discovered the study of transposable elements also known as “jumping genes” or cytogenetics. Her revolutionary discovery was made in the middle of the twentieth century and stated that an organism’s genome was not stationary, but rather subjected to rearrange. In 1983, she won the Nobel prize in Physiology or Medecine and this achievement started with a maize breeding experiment.

Rosalind Franklin- July 25, 1920- April 16, 1958

Surrounded by much controversy during the scientific chase at that time, X-ray crystallographer Rosalind Franklin discovered the “X” shape of DNA. This “X” shape led to the understanding of the helical structure of DNA. Unfortunately she was not awarded with the Nobel Prize for the double-helix model of DNA as a result of her death. She had ovarian cancer and died four years before the Nobel Prize was given.

James Watson and Francis Crick

This pair is infamous for their discovery of the double-helix structure of DNA in 1953. They were able to come up with this conclusion from the x-ray diffraction data Rosalind Franklin collected. Watson and Crick also deduced that nitrogenous bases were connected by hydrogen bonds.  They won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1962.

Gregor Mendel- July 20, 1822- January 6, 1884

Known as the “Father of Genetics” and the Augustinian friar, Gregor Mendel laid the basis to genetics with his experiment of pea plants. By examining his pea plants, he discovered the nature of genetic inheritance. The Mendelian inheritance came to be and described the method of hereditary characteristics passed down from parent to offspring. Although Mendel’s work was very controversial at the time, he was able to publish in 1865 and 1866 which was revolutionary later in life.