James Dewy Watson
James Dewy Watson
“Formula for breakthroughs in research:
Take young researchers, put them together in virtual seclusion, give them
an unprecedented degree of freedom and turn up the pressure by fostering
competitiveness,” James Watson once said (1). Watson's formula for breakthroughs
in research resulted in his discovery of deoxyribonucleic acid’s structure,
the double helix.
James Dewy Watson, along with Francis
Harry Compton Crick and Maurice
Hugh Frederick Wilkins, received the 1962 Nobel Prize in Medicine for
the discovery of the double helix structure assocaited with deoxyribonucleic
acid. Specifically the distinction was given “for their discoveries concerning
the molecular structure of nuclear acids and its significance for information
transfer in living material” (2).
James Dewy Watson was born in Chicago,
Illinois, on April 6, 1928. Watson attended Chicago Public Schools and
showed promise to be a stellar student and intellectual. Watson’s boyhood
interest in bird watching prompted an interest in zoology. After high school,
at the age of fifteen, he received a scholarship to attend the University
of Chicago. He graduated from the University of Chicago with Bachelor’s
of Science in zoology in 1947 at the age of 19. A fellowship for graduate
study lead to a Ph.D. in zoology from Indiana University in Bloomington
in 1950 (3). At the university, he studied bacterial viruses and biochemistry.
Through his research Watson became convinced that the chemistry of the
gene was key to the fundamental understanding of biology.
Once again, a fellowship lead
him into research. Watson accepted a fellowship to study bacterial metabolism
in Copenhagen, Denmark. His lack of enthusiasm for research in Copenhagen
initiated a change. Watson’s fascination with DNA prompted his transfer
to the University of Cambridge in England (3). Here Watson met Francis
Crick and their subsequent collaboration began in the Cavendish Laboratory.
Their talents and personalities were complementary which provided an ideal
atmosphere for the duo to conduct research.
Using their combined knowledge
in the chemistry of nucleotides and the known structure of DNA, the team
progressed. In 1952 Watson determined the structure of the protein coat
surrounding the tobacco
mosaic virus (3). Although this notable discovery was beneficial to
biology, its contribution to the elucidation of DNA structure was insignificant.
In addition to the team’s knowledge and research, Watson and Crick relied
upon the recent discoveries of X-ray diffraction pioneered by Rosalind
Franklin and Maurice Wilkins. In the spring of 1953, Watson postulated
that the essential DNA components, the four organic bases, were linked
in discrete pairs. This notion proved to be essential on the scientists’
trek to the verge of discovery. Through this research, Watson and Crick
achieved a revolution in modern biology revealed with the publication of
a paper in the British journal Nature in the April-May addition of 1953.
The essay outlined their proposed double helix. The paper included a path
for the replication of genes, which would later be regarded as the basis
for heredity, as well as effectively create an innovative genre of microbiological
science (3).
After Watson and Crick’s discovery,
Watson became a senior research fellow at the California Institute of Technology.
While at the institute, Watson researched ribonucleic acid (RNA) using
data from X-ray diffraction studies. Watson then returned to England to
work with Crick on the structure of viruses. He remained in England for
a short period. Soon returning to the United States, Watson became a
professor of biology at Harvard University.
While teaching at Harvard from 1955 to 1976, Watson published his now revered
classic Molecular Biology of the Gene in 1965. In addition to his
position at Harvard in 1968, Watson became the director of the Cold
Harbor Springs Laboratory in Long Island, New York. Also in 1968, Watson
published another classic book, The Double Helix. Considered to
be one of “The 100 Best Non-Fiction Books of the Century” by a panel from
National Review, the book remains in publication in over 20 languages (5).
The
Double Helix was one of the first books ever to cast science-lab work
as compelling drama, complete with colorful characters, envy, suspicion,
delusions of grandeur—and of course two unlikely heroes who win a race
against time and their colleagues to score a stunning victory (5).
While directing the Cold Harbor
Springs Laboratory, he transformed the laboratory into a world center for
research in molecular biology. His primary concentration was cancer research.
Much of current knowledge of oncogenes (cancer causing genes) and the molecular
biology of cancer have come from a result of the research preformed at
Cold Harbor Springs Laboratory.
From 1988 to 1992 while at the National
Institute of Health, Watson directed the Human Genome Project. The Human
Genome Project continues to attempt to sequence the twenty-four different
chromosomes (23 autosomes, X and Y sex chromosomes). Molecular biologists
were interested in the project for numerous reasons. One being sequencing
genetic data would provide insight and information as to the nature of
diseases and genetic disorders. Through Watson’s numerous conversations
and meetings with the press and various committees, his concern with “the
ethical and social implications raised by an ever-increasing knowledge
of human genes and the genetic diseases that result from variation in our
genetic messages.” Watson insisted that members of the scientific community
“work to ensure that society learns to use the information only in beneficial
ways, and if necessary, pass laws at both the national and state levels
to prevent invasion so privacy of an individuals’ genetic background by
either employers, insurers, or government agencies and to prevent discrimination
on genetic grounds.” He eventually resigned because of his opposition to
the principle of patenting genetic information as well as alleged conflicts
of interests involving his investments in private biotechnology companies
(6).
Recently Watson has come back into
the public eye (8). In June of 2000, Watson revealed his newest theory
and study at London’s University College Hospital. His latest theory revolves
around the action of melanocyte stimulating hormone, which is responsible
for skin pigmentation and hair color. The hormone is being researched in
hopes of creating an artificial tan. Watson continues to investigate the
hormone, suggesting that it may be responsible for some aspects of happiness
and sexual function (4).
Still at the age of 72 Watson remains
thin and driven, and to many of his detractors continues to suffer from
the “crime” of thinking too much. Indeed Watson has changed the face of
genetics (4). From peas and Punnett squares to clones and cytosine, the
history of genetics has produced astounding discoveries; one such discovery
produced by James Dewey Watson.
Effects of the Disocry of the DNA double helix
The Royal Institute of Sweden, which presented the
Nobel Prize, wrote the discovery of the DNA structure had “no immediate
practical application, but determining the molecular structure of the substance
that is responsible for the forms that life takes is a discovery of tremendous
importance” (6). The DNA model stimulated extensive research on molecular
biology. Questions were raised in light of determining how DNA could act
as a template for its own duplication as wells as how the sequences of
bases function within the genetic code. Soon RNA research flared. The research
focused around the creating the “central dogma.” The central dogma is now
regarded as the model for protein synthesis.
Research and experiments of the 50’s
and 60’s proved essential to the formulation of the central dogma. Scientists
steadily advanced in their understanding of the DNA and RNA. The three
types of RNA were discovered within this time period. Researchers began
to grasp Messenger RNA, Transfer RNA, and Ribosomal RNA’s function and
structure. Watson and Crick’s research preceded the discoveries and thus
provided invaluable knowledge in further research.
Sources:
1. Watson, James. The Double Helix. Kingsport, Tennessee:
Kingsport Press, Inc, 1968.
2. “James Dewey Watson.” Noble Prize Internet Archive.
On-Line. Internet. 3 Dec.
2000. Available
WWW
http://almaz.com/nobel/nobel.html
3. “Watson, James (Dewey).” The Cambridge Dictionary
of Scientists. 1996 ed.
4. British Medical Association. “Agent provocateur happiness.”
British Medical Journal
1 July 2000:
On-line. Infotrac. 3 Dec. 2000.
5. Murray, Mary. “The Blueprint for Life and the Two
Young Ment Who Discovered It.”
Biography
January 1997: 2. On-Line. Infotrac. 3 Dec. 2000
6. “Watson, James Dewey.” Encyclopedia Britannica. 2000
ed.
7. “James D. Watson.” The Noble Prize Winners, Medicine;
Volume 2. 1991 ed.
8. “James Dewey Watson.” Noble e-Museum. On-Line. Internet.
3 Dec. 2000. Available
WWW:
http://nobel.sdsc.edu/medicine/laureates/1962/watson-bio.html